Brian Windhorst throws cold water on 76ers 50-win season with LeBron James

The Philadelphia 76ers were the big winners of the offseason. The team traded for Jaylen Brown in one of the biggest blockbusters of the offseason. They also signed Anfernee Simons and Dean Wade in free agency, the former of whom was one of the best value signings and the latter of whom is a perfect fit as a stretch shooter.

Of course, though, the move that has everyone talking is the signing of LeBron James. With the new collection of talent joining a preexisting core of Joel Embiid, V.J. Edgecombe, and Tyrese Maxey, fans can’t help but assume that the 76ers are the favorites to win the NBA Finals.

While that may be true, Brian Windhorst tempered expectations for Philadelphia, at least when it comes to their regular season success.

“In the last nine years, do you know how many times LeBron’s team has gone over 50.5 [wins]? Twice,” Windhorst said on The Hoop Collective. “So LeBron hasn’t been on powerhouse regular season teams for a while now… I think they could be an excellent team and be formidable and win about 48 games. I think winning 48 games in the Eastern Conference is going to be a good season. Also, when LeBron changes teams, they tend to get off to a slow start.”

Brian Windhorst with a reality check about the 76ers this season:

“In the last 9 years do you know how many times LeBron’s team has gone over 50.5? Twice. So LeBron hasn’t been on powerhouse regular season teams for a while now. I think they could be an excellent team and be… pic.twitter.com/c1C5TIfsdn

— JayTakes (@SportsWithJay0) August 19, 2026

James is entering year 24, and regular season success has not mattered nearly as much as potential postseason runs for the Future Hall of Famer during the twilight of his career. That likely won’t change next season. Then again, there is so much talent in Philadelphia that the 76ers just may blow Windhorst’s prediction out of the water.

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