Brian Windhorst has a surprising assessment of LeBron James' 76ers team

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Brian Windhorst has a surprising assessment of LeBron James' 76ers team

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Matt Wadleigh | Last updated Oct 1, 2026 12:30 PM ET

LeBron James joined the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency, and many are expecting them to be contenders in the Eastern Conference.

However, ESPN NBA analyst Brian Windhorst is not one of them. During an episode of “The Hoop Collective,” Vince Goodwill and Windhorst talked about the top teams in the Eastern Conference, and Windhorst said he doesn’t have the 76ers as a top-6 team in the East.

“I don’t even have Philly on there,” Windhorst replied after Goodwill listed the 76ers on his list. “I don’t know how Philly’s going to be. I don’t know about their health.”

Brian Windhorst doesn’t view the Philadelphia 76ers as a top-6 team in the Eastern Conference

Windhorst: "Name me the teams you feel strongly are definitely top six in the East."

Goodwill: "Maybe New York and Philly."

Windhorst: "I don’t even have Philly on there" pic.twitter.com/WFR2lTUwip
— NBABase (@TheNBABase) September 30, 2026

James chose the 76ers over a few other teams, and he signed a budget-friendly two-year, $8 million deal. The new lineup will include James, Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown, who was acquired for Paul George and more this offseason.

Windhorst later in the clip said, “Probably Philly,” although he doesn’t feel strongly about the 76ers right now, and that could be due to the talent in the conference.

For example, the Cleveland Cavaliers brought back some core pieces, and the Miami Heat landed Giannis Antetokounmpo in the offseason.

Still, Windhorst’s doubts likely stem from uncertainty about how this roster will fit, along with past health issues with Embiid and others, so take it as you will.

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