The mantle previously carried by Kelly Oubre now officially rests on the shoulders of LeBron James, marking a significant roster upgrade for Philadelphia.
LeBron’s arrival in Philadelphia immediately solidifies what is arguably the most talented full-strength starting five in the league, pairing him alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, and VJ Edgecombe.
However, the notion of a “full-strength” lineup is a bit overstated. Embiid consistently misses a substantial number of games and has struggled to recapture his former MVP dominance, even during periods designated as “healthy” in recent years.
Even when fully operational, questions remain regarding the team’s cohesion. The starting unit lacks a lockdown perimeter defender or a reliable three-point shooter, featuring instead a roster of highly skilled ball-handlers who are less effective off the ball. This raises the question of whether a high-level chameleon wing would better suit the new starting lineup—perhaps someone akin to Paul George.
This is precisely why the addition of Dean Wade proves so vital to the team’s chemistry, while also underscoring the necessity for the Sixers’ most promising young role players—Anfernee Simons, Dom Barlow, and Justin Edwards—to step up and contribute.
Ultimately, this roster construction appears to be a significant gamble resting squarely on Embiid, particularly with Ariel Hukporti penciled in as the backup center. This remains a risk I am not entirely comfortable with.
