Philadelphia 76ers acquire LeBron James, plan to use him at point guard

LeBron James joins the Philadelphia 76ers, fulfilling a long-standing dream for fans. Discover how this blockbuster trade impacts the team's strategy and champi

By Liam Tremblay — 28 July 2026 — 3 min read

James Joins Philadelphia

LeBron James has joined the Philadelphia 76ers, a move that comes eight years after a businessman, Asher Raphael, orchestrated a billboard campaign to entice James to the team. Raphael, co-CEO of Power Home Remodeling, had placed three billboards outside Cleveland in 2018 with messages like “Philly Wants LeBron” and “Complete The Process.” At that time, James opted to join the Los Angeles Lakers.

Raphael noted that his phone was active with messages from employees and friends after James’s recent decision, indicating the success of the long-ago campaign. The original billboard idea, inspired by the 2017 film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, was intended as a lighthearted effort that ultimately went viral. Raphael considered new billboards this summer but decided against it.

The 2018 billboards also illustrated where James might fit on the court with then-Sixers starters Dario Saric, Ben Simmons, Robert Covington, and Joel Embiid. Of those players, only Embiid remains with the 76ers. Raphael expressed that the intention was to convey that James would be welcomed in Philadelphia, a city he described as a great sports town.

Longtime on-court adversaries LeBron James and Joel Embiid will join forces in Philadelphia, after James signed a two-year deal on Friday to join the 76ers.Matt Slocum/The Associated Press Credit: theglobeandmail.com

New Role for James

Following his acquisition in free agency, the 76ers reportedly intend to deploy James at point guard. Shams Charania of ESPN reported this plan. James, at 41 years old, has consistently demonstrated versatility throughout his 23-season career, frequently shifting positions.

While James has often played a “point-forward” role, combining responsibilities of a frontcourt player and a table-setting guard, he has also played point guard in various stretches. He took on the role full-time during the 2019-20 season, leading the Lakers to an NBA championship and the league with 10.2 assists per game.

Tyrese Maxey, who has started at point guard for Philadelphia, recently averaged 28.3 points and earned a spot on the third-team All-NBA. Maxey is also recognized as a premier off-ball scorer due to his three-point shooting and cutting ability, suggesting he could potentially start alongside James at the shooting guard position.

Cleveland Reaction

James’s decision to join the 76ers has prompted discussion among Cavaliers fans and observers. Some have pointed to Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman, suggesting he did not do enough to persuade James to return to Cleveland. There was also criticism regarding Altman’s decision to trade Darius Garland for James Harden at the trade deadline in February, a player James reportedly preferred to play with over the current Cavaliers stars.

Others have also attributed blame to Harden, Kenny Atkinson, and Donovan Mitchell, citing concerns about stylistic compatibility with James. However, some views suggest that this exercise in assigning blame is unproductive. James had previously fulfilled his promise to Cleveland by bringing a title to the city, ending a championship drought, thereby cementing his legacy there.

Despite the Cavaliers having a roster that recently reached the Eastern Conference Finals and is considered ready to contend for championships, James did not choose to return. This decision has led to the sentiment that James does not share the same feelings for Cavaliers fans as they do for him. It is seen by some as a moment for the fanbase to move past a reliance on James, especially with players like Mitchell, Harden, and Evan Mobley on the current roster. The Cavaliers still maintain championship aspirations of their own.