LeBron James signed a two-year deal worth $8 million with the Philadelphia 76ers sending the world into a frenzy. The move shocked the NBA community as Golden State, Miami, and Cleveland were the top three favorites to land LeBron.
Over at DraftKings, you can now bet on whether or not LeBron will average 18-plus points per game at -160 odds or 20-plus points per game at +200 in his first season with the 76ers. As you can see, there are also options of Kawhi Leonard after joining Toronto, LaMelo Ball following his trade to Minnesota, and head-to-head options between Tyler Herro and Giannis Antetokounmpo, but let’s focus on The King.
LeBron at age 41, tied his career-low 20.9 points per game that spanned all the way back to his rookie season in 2003-04. James’ 15.3 field goal attempts per game was 2.6 fewer than his previous career-low and the worst three-point percentage (31.7%) since 2007-08. I am not breaking any barriers by saying James will score the fewest amount of points in his career this season, but it’s not because of a lack of self-talent, but because of the amount of talent around him.
Tyrese Maxey is coming off a career-high 28.3 points per game on 21.4 field goal attempts per game. Maxey has taken 20-plus shots per game in three straight seasons. Being the point guard and the top two scoring option during that time period, Maxey can only sacrifice so much.
Jaylen Brown will surely shoot the rock more than Paul George‘s 13.9 field goal attempts per game with the 76ers last season. We know Brown is looking to rewrite his narrative and like Maxey, Brown is coming off the best scoring season of his career at 28.7 points per game.
Joel Embiid averaged over 27 combined free throws and field goal attempts last season to acrrue 26.9 points per game. Embiid’s health is obviously called into question every season, so adding a 41-year-old LeBron allows both James and Embiid to switch on and off for rest nights.
Then you have the trio of hungry youngsters — VJ Edgecombe, Labaron Philon Jr., and Anfernee Simons. Edgecombe is living up to the hype of being the No. 3 overall pick last year. Edgecombe busted onto the scene with 34 points in his debut and finished the season with 16.0 points per game on 43.8% and 13.7 shot attempts.
Philadelphia drafted Philon Jr., who is a great mimic off the bench in terms of play style and what Maxey provided in his early career. Simons has been shipped around recently, but that doesn’t take away from the fact he’s not shy to shoot. Simons has averaged double-digit shot attempts in five-straight seasons and 8.5 triples during his final season in Portland.
It’s safe to say, LeBron picked a pretty solid play to be for two years. He won’t need to score 20 points per game anymore and at 41-years-old, it likely isn’t in the best interest of his longevity to continue. LeBron had a 26.2% usage rate last season, which ranked 33rd among players who started at least 50 games.
Scoring 18 points per game is certainly within reach for James, but at -160 odds, it’s something I would pass on. Personally, I am betting the Under on anyone offering LeBron season-long props on his point total. No shade to The King. He just has to many scoring soldiers at his disposal in Philly.
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