Stephen A. Smith, host of ESPN's "First Take," has cautioned the New York Knicks that their hold on the Eastern Conference may be threatened following LeBron James's decision to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. Smith stated that the 76ers are now "right in with New York as the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference."
Smith credited 76ers president of sports Bob Myers for assembling a team capable of competing with the defending champion Knicks, who swept Philadelphia in the second round of the playoffs this past season. He highlighted the additions of Jaylen Brown and rookie VJ Edgecombe, noting their potential alongside Tyrese Maxey. Smith suggested that even a partially healthy Joel Embiid could position the 76ers for a championship run.
Meyers, who previously served as the Warriors' general manager from 2012 to 2023 and won four NBA championships, brings significant experience in building winning teams.
Beyond the team's potential, Smith expressed surprise at James's choice to join an Eastern Conference team other than the Cleveland Cavaliers. This sentiment was echoed by the prediction market Kalshi, which had given the 76ers only an eight percent chance of signing the veteran player before his decision.
James's contract with the 76ers reportedly includes a significant pay cut, with a two-year, $8 million deal that is a substantial reduction from his $52 million salary with the Los Angeles Lakers. While a pay cut was anticipated due to the contract limitations of potential suitors like Cleveland, Miami, and Golden State, the reported figure has still drawn surprise.
According to ESPN cap expert Bobby Marks, the 76ers are currently projected to be around $572,000 over the first apron following James's signing. This means Myers and the team's front office will need to make roster adjustments, such as player releases or trades, to ensure compliance with salary cap regulations before the season begins.
For now, the Philadelphia fanbase can look forward to a potential starting lineup featuring Maxey, Edgecombe, Embiid, Brown, and James, fueling hopes of challenging the Knicks in the upcoming season.