LeBron James Joins 76ers as NBA Players Debate His GOAT

LeBron James is now a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, a seismic free agency move that instantly raise the team to title favorite status for the 2026-27 season.

What does LeBron's move mean for the 76ers?

The Sixers' new Big Four, featuring James, Brown, Tyrese Maxey, and Joel Embiid, are all rated 91-overall or higher in the newly released NBA 2K27. This virtual power ranking mirrors real-world expectations, with Philadelphia entering the season as a leading contender for the NBA Championship.

Adding James and Brown creates a formidable core designed to finally break through in the Eastern Conference. The move was a primary topic on the latest episode of the 'Gil's Arena' podcast, where host Gilbert Arenas and former NBA champion Kenyon Martin offered starkly different perspectives on the signing.

Why is a former champion criticizing the signing?

Kenyon Martin, who won a title in 2003, delivered a harsh assessment of James joining the 76ers. Martin argued the move was motivated by a desire for an easier path to a championship rather than competitive drive. He suggested James was following a trend of veteran stars teaming up late in their careers to chase rings, questioning the authenticity of the pursuit.

This criticism highlights the intense scrutiny that follows James, even in his 23rd season. Every decision is framed within the endless debate about his standing among basketball's all-time greats. That debate, however, is shifting in his favor according to a new poll of his peers.

Do NBA players think LeBron is the GOAT?

Recent research compiling player votes over the past four years shows LeBron James has edged ahead of Michael Jordan in the eyes of active NBA players. Out of 57 active players polled, 34 selected James as the Greatest of All Time.

The generational divide is clear. The study notes that many responses came before James broke the league's all-time scoring record, meaning his case has likely grown stronger since. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, another frequent candidate, received minimal support in the polling.

Which past Finals would his new teammate want to play in?

New 76ers star Jaylen Brown, who will share the court with James this season, was asked by NBA 2K which historic Finals series he would want to experience. Brown pointed to two iconic battles featuring his new teammate and another legend. He named the 2016 NBA Finals, where James led the Cleveland Cavaliers back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the 73-win Golden State Warriors. Brown also selected the 2010 Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, a classic seven-game series starring Kobe Bryant.

Brown's choices reflect the enduring legacy of those moments. James's performance in 2016 is often cited as a crowning achievement in his career, a fact not lost on current players evaluating his GOAT credentials.

• LeBron James has signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, forming a new superteam for the 2026-27 season.
• A poll of 112 NBA players shows active players now favor James over Michael Jordan in the GOAT debate, 34 votes to 17.
• Former champion Kenyon Martin criticized the move, suggesting it was more about chasing a title than true competition.
• New teammate Jaylen Brown cited James's 2016 Finals comeback as a series he'd want to experience.

James's unprecedented longevity continues to draw comparisons outside of basketball, too. Just last week, an 8-year-old racehorse named Gold Phoenix was compared to James for defying age. The horse aimed for a historic fifth straight win in the Del Mar Handicap on August 28, a feat only achieved by the legendary Kelso. While that's a different arena, the parallel shows how James's sustained excellence has become the benchmark for aging athletes everywhere.