LeBron James’ decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers has sparked reactions across the NBA world. On Sunday, Kevin Durant compared the James-76ers union to his choice of teaming up with Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors from 2016-17 to 2018-19.
However, one of the four-time MVP’s former Los Angeles Lakers teammates doesn’t agree with Durant.
Dwight Howard Disagrees With Kevin Durant’s Take on LeBron James’ 76ers Move
Durant believes James’ arrival in Philadelphia could reshape the NBA in the same way his own move to Golden State did nearly a decade ago.
The Houston Rockets star argued that his Warriors teams were labeled “unfair” because they featured three 20-point scorers. Durant sees a similar situation developing in Philly, noting that the 76ers now have four players capable of averaging 25 points per game.
Former Lakers center Dwight Howard, who won the 2020 NBA championship alongside James, quickly pushed back on that idea.
“This would be the case if Bron joined the Knicks,” Howard wrote.
This would be the case if Bron joined the Knicks https://t.co/SAPw4lcCCj
— Dwight Howard (@DwightHoward) August 2, 2026
Howard’s response wasn’t entirely out of left field. Before ultimately choosing Philadelphia, James was reportedly interested in signing with the New York Knicks. Had New York failed to end its 53-year championship drought, the four-time MVP might have taken his talents to Madison Square Garden instead.
In that scenario, James would have joined Jalen Brunson, who averaged 26.0 points per game this past season, and Karl-Anthony Towns, who posted 20.1 ppg. That trio would have given the Knicks three proven 20-point scorers, making Howard’s argument stand.
Philadelphia, however, presents a different picture. The 76ers already feature three elite scorers in Joel Embiid (26.9 ppg), Tyrese Maxey (28.3 ppg), and former Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown (28.7 ppg). If James maintains his typical production, Durant’s projection of four 25-point-caliber players becomes realistic.
That said, raw scoring averages may not tell the full story. When James announced his decision to sign with Philadelphia, he emphasized sacrifice as a key component. The message hinted that he could embrace a different role rather than shoulder the offensive load as he has for most of his career.
With Embiid, Brown, and Maxey already capable of carrying the scoring, James may prioritize facilitating the offense and controlling the game’s tempo instead of scoring.
Even so, Durant’s point remains valid. On any given night, Philadelphia has multiple players capable of erupting offensively. Rising rookie VJ Edgecombe and veteran guard Anfernee Simons add even more firepower to an already loaded roster.
Ultimately, Howard’s comparison remains hypothetical because James never signed with New York. Durant’s argument, meanwhile, will be tested on the court throughout the 2026-27 season.
Durant won two NBA championships during his three-year run with Golden State. The true measure of his comparison won’t be how many points Philadelphia’s stars will average. It will be whether James can deliver the same championship success with the 76ers that Durant brought to the Bay Area.
