The Philadelphia 76ers built a superteam this offseason, pairing LeBron James with Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, and Tyrese Maxey, and the expectations are already sky-high.
With that kind of firepower, Shaquille O’Neal believes the Sixers have run out of room for excuses.
Shaquille O’Neal Demands Championship From LeBron James, Joel Embiid-Led Sixers
O’Neal addressed Philadelphia’s new-look roster on the latest episode of ESPN’s SportsCenter, and he immediately framed the season around one outcome: a championship.
“Championship or bust,” O’Neal said. “You got the great LeBron. You got great Embiid.”
That expectation comes from how aggressively the Sixers reshaped their roster during the offseason. James agreed to a team-friendly two-year, $8 million veteran minimum contract as he continues his pursuit of another championship, while Brown arrived from the Boston Celtics in exchange for Paul George and multiple draft picks.
Philadelphia also strengthened its supporting cast. Anfernee Simons signed a two-year, $12.3 million contract to add scoring to the backcourt, while Kentavious Caldwell-Pope joined after a contract buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies, giving the Sixers another experienced perimeter defender and 3-point threat.
On paper, the 76ers undoubtedly look like heavy title favorites. That is precisely why O’Neal believes the time is now to bring another NBA trophy to Philadelphia and end the city’s 43-year championship drought.
The former NBA center specifically challenged Embiid, whose injury-riddled career has been filled with regular-season success but has yet to produce even an Eastern Conference Finals appearance.
“It was like 3, 4 years ago Charles and I would always say how he’s the best big man,” O’Neal said. “Joker has surpassed him, will be honest, making a name for himself. My question to Joel: does he want it back? And if he does, please show me.”
Shaq on the new look Sixers:
“Championship or bust. You got the great LeBron. You got great Embiid. It was like 3, 4 years ago Charles and I would always say how he’s the best big man. Joker has surpassed him, will be honest, making a name for himself. My question to Joel: does… pic.twitter.com/HXlgSd0vU2
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) August 20, 2026
James’ arrival only raises the stakes. The four-time NBA champion chose Philadelphia for what could be the final chance of his career to win his fifth ring.
O’Neal offered a simpler assessment of James’ motivation, pointing to the urgency for the future Hall of Famer to win another championship as he nears the end of his career.
“I know LeBron wants to get one last one,” O’Neal said.
There are still obvious questions about how four major offensive talents, James, Maxey, Brown and Embiid will share the ball and, more importantly, whether the group can stay healthy. But Philadelphia nevertheless has addressed nearly every area of its roster with a win-now approach.
O’Neal does not want that approach softened by patience if the pieces need time to develop.
“I don’t wanna hear next year,” he said. “This team was put together to win a championship now. They have all the pieces they need.”
The Sixers’ front office seems to have done everything to fill roster holes and create a balanced team. Now, as O’Neal sees it, the burden is on James, Embiid, and the rest of the new-look lineup to turn those moves into a championship.
In any case, whether the Sixers can translate their talent into results will start to show once the 2026-27 regular season tips off.
