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By Anne Erickson
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The biggest storyline of the NBA offseason can be summed up in two words: LeBron James.
Where would he land in free agency?
Well, now we know. Getting swept by the eventual champion New York Knicks in the second round left a sour taste throughout the Philadelphia 76ers organization, and the front office responded with one of the boldest offseasons in the league.
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They signed James. The NBA superstar has officially agreed to a two-year deal with Philadelphia, instantly giving the 76ers one of the most star-studded lineups in basketball. Pairing LeBron with Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey completely changes this team, at least on paper.
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Brown arrived in a trade that also sent Paul George elsewhere, while Anfernee Simons and Dean Wade were added in free agency to deepen the rotation. The 76ers also selected Labaron Philon Jr. in the draft, adding another young player to a roster built to compete now.
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The talent is undeniable. The challenge for head coach Nick Nurse will be making all of those pieces fit together. James has spent his entire career elevating the players around him, but Philadelphia already has established stars who need the ball. Finding the right balance between LeBron, Embiid, Brown and Maxey won't always be simple.
Then there's the next generation. Second-year guard V.J. Edgecombe is expected to continue his development, and the coaching staff will have to find meaningful opportunities for him despite the veteran-heavy roster. That's never an easy balance on a team with championship expectations.
Health will be another major factor, particularly when it comes to Embiid. The 76ers know what their roster looks like when he's on the floor. Keeping him available when the games get close could determine whether this season ends differently than the last one.
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There are certainly plenty of mouths to feed, and managing those expectations won't be easy. But adding a player like LeBron James isn't about making life simpler. It's about raising the standard.
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