LeBron James Joins Philadelphia 76ers as Brown and Edgecombe React

Philadelphia's revamped roster enters the 2026-27 NBA season with LeBron James, Jaylen Brown and rookie guard VJ Edgecombe among its central figures. Ahead of Tuesday's season opener against the defending champion New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, Brown and Edgecombe discussed the experience of becoming teammates with James, whose NBA career is entering its 24th season.

According to interviews with ESPN reported by multiple sports outlets, the players offered contrasting perspectives on sharing a locker room with the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player. Brown described the opportunity as a childhood dream, while Edgecombe expressed disbelief that James remained active long enough for their careers to overlap.

Brown, who grew up watching James compete in the NBA, emphasized the significance of working alongside a player he considers among basketball's greatest figures.

"The 12-year-old in me is, like, over the moon. No glaze, but you're playing with one of the greatest, if not the greatest… so that's an honor and a privilege in itself. To have one of the greatest players to ever play this game in the locker room, on the bus, in the film room. I think that's pretty cool," Brown said.

Brown's enthusiasm comes as Philadelphia reshapes its roster in pursuit of a championship. The team retained Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Edgecombe while adding James in free agency and acquiring Brown in a blockbuster trade with the Boston Celtics. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Anfernee Simons also joined the roster during a busy offseason.

Edgecombe, a 21-year-old guard selected third overall by Philadelphia in the 2025 NBA Draft, focused on the extraordinary age difference between himself and James, who entered the league in 2003. The younger player said he had previously assumed James would retire before he reached the NBA.

"I ain't gonna lie, I thought he was going to retire like a few years ago. So I'm like, 'Man, I'll never catch LeBron James in the NBA,'" Edgecombe said.

The rookie also highlighted the generational gap between the teammates, noting that James' eldest son, Bronny, is older than him. Bronny celebrated his 22nd birthday on October 6, while James is set to turn 42 at the end of December.

"He's exactly old enough to be my dad, which is crazy. His son is older than me, which is crazy," Edgecombe said.

Edgecombe arrives at the new season after a productive rookie campaign, averaging 16 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 35% from three-point range, according to Basketball Forever. Philadelphia exercised his $12.2 million team option for the 2027-28 season on Monday and also holds a $15.4 million team option for the following campaign.

Beyond individual talent, Philadelphia faces the challenge of integrating several high-profile players into a cohesive rotation. The team will need to balance shot distribution, ball-handling responsibilities and playing time as its veterans and younger players adjust to different roles.

James' arrival also gives Philadelphia a veteran presence with extensive championship experience. The new season begins Tuesday on the road against New York, providing the 76ers' reconfigured lineup its first opportunity to establish on-court chemistry in a regular-season game.