Philadelphia enters 2026-27 as the biggest remodel in the league: Jaylen Brown arrived in a blockbuster with Boston, LeBron James signed for the minimum, and both join Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and VJ Edgecombe.
This Philadelphia 76ers 2026-27 season preview breaks down every major storyline entering the year: the team's 2026 NBA Draft pick, its free agency departures and acquisitions, the Jaylen Brown and LeBron James additions and projected starting lineup, updated Vegas win total and championship odds, and 76ers fantasy basketball analysis on the players who matter most heading into DFS and season-long drafts. After a 45-37 season that included a seven-game first-round win over Boston and a second-round sweep by the Knicks, Philadelphia's new front office traded Paul George for Brown on July 1 and then landed James on July 24, creating one of the most talented starting fives on paper in recent memory.
76ers 2026-27 Season at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| 2025-26 Record | 45-37 |
| 2025-26 Finish | Won first round (4-3 over Celtics), lost East semifinals (0-4 to Knicks) |
| 2026-27 Win Total | 50.5 (BetMGM) |
| Championship Odds | +900 |
| 2026 Draft Picks | No. 22 |
| Biggest Addition | LeBron James (free agent) and Jaylen Brown (trade) |
| Key Player | Tyrese Maxey |
| Fantasy Player to Watch | Joel Embiid |
Philadelphia's 50.5 win total is the second-highest in the East behind New York's 52.5, and its +900 championship odds are tied with the Knicks for the best mark in the conference, and the favorite in some books to win the East at +350.
2026 NBA Draft: 76ers' Pick and Fit
Philadelphia used the No. 22 pick on a scorer who fits a roster that will now lean on veterans, though the pick is more of a long-term piece than an immediate rotation player.
| Pick | Player | Position | School | 2026-27 Impact | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 22 (1st Rd) | Labaron Philon | PG/SG | Alabama | Depth/development | Sophomore guard who averaged 22.0 PPG, 5.0 APG, 3.5 RPG, and 1.2 SPG while shooting 50.1% from the field and 39.9% from three. |
Philon will share a backcourt room with Maxey, Edgecombe, and Anfernee Simons, so minutes are likely to be limited as a rookie.
Key Free Agent Departures
Philadelphia's roster overhaul was driven by trades and a front-office reset rather than free-agent losses:
| Player | 2025-26 Role | 2026-27 Status | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul George | Starting forward (17.3 PPG) | Traded to Boston Celtics | Major |
| Quentin Grimes | Starting wing | Los Angeles Lakers | Moderate |
| Johni Broome | Reserve big (11 games) | Waived; now with Clippers | Minimal |
George was sent to Boston with two first-round picks (2028 and 2031) and two second-round picks (2028 and 2030) in exchange for Brown, who turns 30 in October and is six years younger.
Key Free Agent Acquisitions and Re-Signings
| Player | Terms | Type | Fantasy/Roster Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaylen Brown | Via trade (from Boston) | Trade acquisition | All-NBA Second Team wing coming off career highs of 28.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG, and 5.1 APG; becomes the second scorer next to Maxey. |
| LeBron James | 2 yrs, ~$8M (player option in year 2) | Free agent addition | Signed for the minimum after leaving the Lakers; averaged 20.9 PPG, 7.2 APG, and 6.1 RPG at age 41 and will act as a playmaker next to Maxey and Brown. |
| Dean Wade | 4 yrs, $38.7M | Free agent addition | Forward signed with the non-taxpayer mid-level exception as the first move of new president Mike Gansey; adds forward depth next to James. |
| Anfernee Simons | 2 yrs, ~$12.3M (player option in year 2) | Free agent addition | Veteran scoring guard expected to run the second unit behind Maxey and Edgecombe. |
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | 1 yr, ~$3.9M | Free agent addition | Signed after a buyout with Memphis to reunite with James; averaged 8.4 PPG last season. |
| Ariel Hukporti | 1 yr, ~$3.4M | Free agent addition | Former Knicks center signed for frontcourt depth, but he suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in a preseason game against the Knicks. |
| Labaron Philon | Rookie contract | Draft pick | No. 22 pick; long-term scoring guard. |
Major Roster Moves and Projected Starting Lineup
The 76ers' offseason was a three-step reset under new front-office boss Mike Gansey: trade Paul George for Brown, convince James to join for the minimum with Maxey, Embiid, and Brown leading the recruiting, and add veteran depth in Simons and Caldwell-Pope. The question is health and spacing. Embiid played only 38 games last season and missed time in preseason; James turns 42 in December, and Brown, James, Embiid, and Edgecombe all shot between 31.7% and 35.4% from three last season. Head coach Nick Nurse plans to use James as an offensive creator without making him a traditional point guard.
Projected Starters
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| PG | Tyrese Maxey |
| SG | VJ Edgecombe |
| SF | Jaylen Brown |
| PF | LeBron James |
| C | Joel Embiid |
Bench Rotation
- Backcourt: Anfernee Simons, Labaron Philon, Caleb Love
- Wing: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Justin Edwards
- Frontcourt: Dean Wade, Adem Bona, Dominick Barlow
Managing the regular-season workload of Embiid and James is the central coaching question, and a wave of nights when one or both rest is likely.
76ers Biggest Fantasy Questions
How Much Will Maxey's Numbers Drop With Three Stars Around Him?
Maxey averaged 28.3 points, 6.6 assists, and 1.9 steals in 70 games, but he carried a league-leading minutes load because Philadelphia was constantly missing stars. With Brown and James sharing the creation, his scoring will fall, though his efficiency and assist rate may improve.
Can Joel Embiid Play 60-Plus Games?
Embiid averaged 26.9 points and 7.7 rebounds in just 38 games. His per-game value is elite, but his draft price has to account for another season of missed games and minutes restrictions.
Is LeBron James Still a Top-30 Fantasy Asset at 41?
James shot 51.5% and averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds in 60 games for the Lakers. Playing on a deeper team could reduce his minutes, but his passing and efficiency keep his floor high.
76ers Fantasy Basketball 2026-27: Key Players to Know
Four 76ers fantasy players carry meaningful weight into 2026-27 drafts, with usage sharing among the new stars as the dominant storyline.
Tyrese Maxey Fantasy Outlook
- 2026-27 ADP: 10.0
- Position: PG/SG
- 2025-26 Stats: 28.3 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 6.6 APG, 1.9 SPG, 3.1 3PM (70 games)
- Fantasy Outlook: Elite guard with a usage question
- What to Watch: Shot volume next to Brown, James, and Embiid
Maxey is the engine of the offense and remains a top-10 pick on scoring, threes, steals, and free-throw percentage. A lighter workload should help his efficiency and health even if his raw numbers dip slightly.
Jaylen Brown Fantasy Outlook
- 2026-27 ADP: 23.5
- Position: PF/SF/SG
- 2025-26 Stats: 28.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 5.1 APG (with Celtics)
- Fantasy Outlook: High-end scorer with a usage reset
- What to Watch: Whether the extra stars cut into his career-high usage
Brown finished sixth in MVP voting and made the All-NBA Second Team while carrying Boston without Tatum. His numbers should come down from career highs, but he is still a clear second option on a very good offense.
LeBron James Fantasy Outlook
- 2026-27 ADP: 26.5
- Position: SF/PF
- 2025-26 Stats: 20.9 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 7.2 APG, 51.5 FG% (60 games)
- Fantasy Outlook: Efficient playmaker with rest-day risk
- What to Watch: Games played and minutes management at age 41
James is entering his 24th season and is expected to sit out some back-to-backs, so his ADP carries real missed-game risk. When he plays, his assists and shooting efficiency remain top-tier for a forward.
Joel Embiid Fantasy Outlook
- 2026-27 ADP: 47.0
- Position: C
- 2025-26 Stats: 26.9 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.2 BPG (38 games)
- Fantasy Outlook: Elite per-game production with major injury risk
- What to Watch: Games played and minutes restrictions
Embiid is still a dominant scorer and free-throw shooter, but he has averaged fewer than 40 games in recent years. He is a pick for managers who can absorb missed time and want top-end scoring at center.
76ers Fantasy Sleepers & Breakouts
76ers Fantasy Sleeper
Labaron Philon: Philon Jr. had a massive offensive year in 2025 at Alabama, and the 76ers are going to rely on him immediately. The 76ers have older pieces on their roster and some players that have missed a bunch of games in recent years, which will put Philon Jr. on the floor more. He has an ADP around 200, and he should be able to greatly outperform that.
76ers Fantasy Breakout Candidate
Anfernee Simons: Simons has years of experience as a high-usage scoring guard and slots into a sixth-man role on a team with injury-prone stars. At an ADP of 120.5, he is a strong source of threes and points if Embiid, James, or Maxey miss games.
Data via NBA.com, ESPN, Yahoo Sports, Hoops Rumors, Spotrac, BetMGM, RotoWire, and Basketball Reference. Odds and win totals reflect lines as of early October 2026 and are subject to change.