Kevin Durant believes LeBron James’ arrival makes the 76ers a championship contender while admitting he had no advance knowledge of the move.
Kevin Durant believes LeBron James‘ arrival has transformed the Philadelphia 76ers into one of the NBA’s leading championship contenders.
Position
PF
Age
37
Height
211 cm
Weight
109 kg
Birth place
Washington, United States of America
James officially joined Philadelphia in late July, ending his eight-season run with the Los Angeles Lakers and returning to the Eastern Conference for what is expected to be his 24th NBA campaign.
Speaking during a USA Basketball event, Durant compared the reaction surrounding Philadelphia’s star-studded roster to the criticism his Golden State Warriors teams received.
Durant calls 76ers a contender
Durant spent three seasons with the Warriors alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, winning two championships and two NBA Finals MVP awards.
“The last time they put three 20-point scorers on a team, they said it was unfair, which was the [Warriors] team I was on,” Durant said, via ESPN’s Ben Golliver.
“[The 76ers] have got four 25-point scorers on this team. So, hell yeah, I think they’re going to be a contender. They’re going to be a fun team to watch. It’s going to be League Pass-worthy.”
James joins a Philadelphia core featuring Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and newly acquired Jaylen Brown.
Maxey led the 76ers with 28.3 points and 6.6 assists per game during the 2025-26 regular season, while Embiid registered 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists across 38 appearances.
Brown averaged approximately 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in his final season with the Boston Celtics. James, meanwhile, produced 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per contest for the Lakers.
Philadelphia’s challenge will be finding the right balance between its high-usage stars, but Durant expects the Sixers’ overwhelming offensive talent to make them one of the league’s most entertaining teams.
Durant admits LeBron’s decision surprised him 
Kevin Durant LeBron James
Credit IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect – Scanpix
Durant also revealed that he had no advance knowledge of James’ plans.
“I didn’t know at all,” Durant said. “LeBron is stealth like that. I know there’s a lot of noise around him, but you never know what’s on his mind.”
The four-time scoring champion believes Philadelphia represents a strong final destination for James as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer continues pursuing his fifth championship.
“I’m happy for him,” Durant continued. “It’s a great decision for him to go to a team that has a good chance to win.
“Philly is a great fanbase, a great market, and it’s great for the league. There were so many eyes that were tuned in to his decision.”
James said after announcing the move that he believed he could help turn Philadelphia into a championship team. He will attempt to become the first player in NBA history to win titles with four different franchises after previously lifting the trophy with the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Lakers.
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