LeBron James’ decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers immediately transformed an already talented roster into one of the favorites to win the 2027 NBA championship.
The move was so significant that Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant argued the new-look Sixers are even more loaded than the Golden State Warriors dynasty that featured him, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson.
Lakers Guard Patrick Beverley Makes Bold Verdict on LeBron James’ Star-Studded 76ers
Not everyone agrees, though.
Former Los Angeles Lakers guard Patrick Beverley believes James has already played on a better team during his Hall of Fame career.
Philadelphia reshaped the NBA landscape this offseason by completing one of the league’s most stunning trades in recent memory. The 76ers sent oft-injured veteran Paul George to the Boston Celtics in exchange for 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, giving them a younger two-way star without sacrificing Tyrese Maxey or rising rookie VJ Edgecombe.
With a healthy Joel Embiid anchoring the frontcourt, the Sixers suddenly boast one of the deepest collections of talent in the league.
Their bench only strengthens that case. Philadelphia added Anfernee Simons and Dean Wade in free agency. At the same time, Nick Nurse can also turn to Adem Bona, Jabari Walker, Ariel Hukporti, Dominick Barlow, Justin Edwards, and rookie Labaron Philon Jr.
Despite all that firepower, Beverley isn’t convinced this is the strongest supporting cast James has ever had.
“Is this LeBron best roster? I say no, Cleveland was!!!,” Beverley tweeted.
Is this LeBron best roster? I say no Cleveland was!!!
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) August 5, 2026
Beverley didn’t specify which Cavaliers team he had in mind. However, if he was referring to the 2015-16 squad that erased a 3-1 deficit to defeat the 73-win Warriors in the NBA Finals, he certainly has a strong case.
That championship roster featured James alongside fellow All-Stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, with valuable contributors such as Tristan Thompson, J.R. Smith, Richard Jefferson, Matthew Dellavedova, Channing Frye, Iman Shumpert, Mo Williams, Timofey Mozgov, James Jones, and Anderson Varejao.
The Cavaliers’ starting lineup consisted of James, Irving, Love, Smith, and Thompson, while Jefferson, Shumpert, Dellavedova, Williams, and Mozgov provided critical depth throughout the postseason.
Although only James, Irving, and Love were All-Stars, the team’s chemistry, experience, and defensive versatility helped deliver Cleveland’s first NBA championship.
Philadelphia, however, has assembled a different kind of powerhouse. The 2026-27 Sixers feature James alongside Brown, Embiid, and Maxey, four established stars with All-Star credentials. Edgecombe, meanwhile, finished third in Rookie of the Year voting and is expected to play a major role immediately.
Ironically, one could also argue that the Cavaliers roster James turned down this summer may be even more talented on paper than the team he led to the 2016 title. Cleveland now features Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen, four players who have all earned All-Star selections.
Whether Beverley is right may ultimately depend on one thing.
Talent wins headlines, but championships settle debates. If James can guide this revamped Philadelphia roster to the Larry O’Brien Trophy, the conversation about the greatest supporting cast of his career may have a very different answer a year from now.
