Sixers’ title hopes with LeBron James ‘all come down to Joel’

The 76ers landed LeBron James. Now they need Joel Embiid.

That may be the simplest way to describe Philadelphia’s championship hopes after James chose the Sixers in free agency.

As ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported, sources close to James said he has long respected Embiid’s talent and basketball IQ, even while having concerns about the former MVP’s availability.

Embiid was heavily involved in recruiting James and ultimately helped convince him that Philadelphia was the place to chase a fifth championship. Now comes the important part.

“It all comes down to Joel,” one league source told Shelburne.

The source noted that a lineup featuring James, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and VJ Edgecombe alongside backup center Adem Bona probably isn’t winning the championship.

Put a healthy Embiid in that group? “That’s a championship team,” the source said.

There’s the gamble James is making. Embiid has appeared in just 57 regular-season games over the past two seasons. He also missed time during Philadelphia’s playoff run last spring, although Shelburne noted those absences were related to emergency appendicitis surgery rather than his recurring knee issues.

James certainly knew the risks when he signed. His decision was also influenced by his relationships with Embiid, Sixers executives Bob Myers and Mike Gansey, and the longstanding trust between agent Rich Paul and Philadelphia owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer.

Still, all the recruiting and relationships only got James to Philadelphia. Whether the Sixers get where they want to go may indeed come down to Embiid.

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