LeBron James’ decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers has received a major endorsement from one of his former teammates.
Rajon Rondo believes James made a “brilliant move” by signing with Philadelphia and has already backed the new-look Sixers as his early championship favorite for the 2026-27 season.
James ended weeks of speculation by agreeing to a two-year, $8 million deal with the Sixers as he prepares to enter his 24th NBA season.
“Brilliant move. I mean, he’s got arguably the best young point guard in the game,” Rondo said speaking on the “Road Trippin” podcast. “I think he averaged 30 points a game this year. Bron is, like, you know, the king on the chessboard. He has a lot of all the pieces, all the right pieces to make the right moves. We all know he’s a great basketball player, one of the greatest basketball minds to play the game. If you give him these types of pieces to play with, you know, I’m an early bet with them being the favorites to win in my book. I’m not a bettor, but if I were to bet, I would bet the Sixers early.”
Rondo knows James particularly well after playing alongside him with the Los Angeles Lakers, including during their 2020 championship run. The pair also spent years on opposite sides of the rivalry between James’ teams and Rondo’s Boston Celtics.
Philadelphia has dramatically reshaped its roster this offseason after being swept by the New York Knicks in the second round of the playoffs.
President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey and the Sixers added both James and Jaylen Brown to a group already featuring Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.
The talent is undeniable, but health will once again be one of Philadelphia’s biggest questions heading into the season. The Sixers will also need time to establish chemistry after making significant changes to the roster.
For Rondo, though, James remains capable of maximizing the pieces around him.
And with Philadelphia now loaded with star power, he has seen enough to put the Sixers firmly among his early championship favorites.
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