LeBron’s move to Philadelphia has Kevin Durant making a bold championship prediction

The Philadelphia 76ers have quickly become one of the NBA’s most talked-about teams, and according to Kevin Durant, they have all the ingredients to compete for the 2027 NBA championship.

Speaking at a USA Basketball event on Saturday, Durant praised Philadelphia’s revamped roster following LeBron James’ decision to sign with the franchise. The two-time NBA champion compared the 76ers’ offensive potential to the dominant Golden State Warriors teams that won titles with Durant, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

“The last time they put three 20-point scorers on a team, they said it was unfair, which was the [Warriors] team I was on,” Durant said. “[The 76ers] have got four 25-point scorers on this team. So, hell yeah, I think they’re going to be a contender. They’re going to be a fun team to watch. It’s going to be League Pass-worthy.”

Philadelphia’s star-studded lineup certainly supports Durant’s claim. Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey each averaged at least 25 points per game last season, while James has averaged 25 or more points in 20 of his 23 NBA seasons, most recently during the 2023-24 campaign with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Durant believes the 76ers are built to dominate

James, now 41 years old, officially announced on July 24 that he would sign with the 76ers after weighing offers and possibilities that included the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat. The move immediately transformed Philadelphia into one of the league’s biggest championship favorites.

Durant admitted he had no idea James was headed to Philadelphia until the announcement became public.

“I didn’t know at all,” Durant said. “LeBron is stealth like that. I know there’s a lot of noise around him, but you never know what’s on his mind.”

Durant added that James’ decision is a win not only for Philadelphia but for the NBA as a whole.

“I’m happy for him. It’s a great decision for him to go to a team that has a good chance to win. Philly is a great fanbase, a great market, and it’s great for the league. There were so many eyes that were tuned in to his decision.”

With four elite scorers sharing the floor, expectations in Philadelphia have never been higher. Whether the 76ers can turn star power into an NBA championship remains to be seen, but Durant believes they have assembled one of the most dangerous offensive teams the league has seen in years.

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