Philadelphia sports fans have waited a long time for a summer like this one. The Philadelphia 76ers roster has undergone one of the biggest transformations in franchise history. In just a few weeks, the team has built a lineup that looks far more dangerous.
The Sixers completed a blockbuster trade for a former Finals MVP. They also signed one of basketball’s greatest players in free agency. As a result, the 2026 roster looks completely different from last season’s team.
That previous group suffered a second-round playoff sweep only two months ago. Now, Philadelphia enters the 2026–27 season with new star power and greater expectations.
This guide explains who is currently on the 76ers roster. It also covers the projected starting lineup, depth chart, key stars, and outlook for the upcoming season.
What Happened to the Philadelphia 76ers Roster This Summer?
The short version: Philadelphia went from a disappointing, injury-plagued playoff exit to arguably a title contender in the span of one offseason.
It started when the front office, led by president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and general manager Mike Gansey, moved on from the Paul George experiment. George’s 2024 free-agent signing never delivered the way Philadelphia hoped, largely due to injuries limiting him to a fraction of the schedule. Rather than let that contract sit, the Sixers packaged George along with draft compensation and sent it to the Boston Celtics in exchange for two-time NBA champion and 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown.
That trade alone reshaped the 76ers roster. But it also set off a chain reaction. Once Brown was in the fold, LeBron James, who had been quietly weighing retirement after his 23rd NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers, decided Philadelphia gave him the clearest shot at one more championship run. James announced on social media in late July 2026 that he was signing a two-year, $8 million contract with the 76ers, calling it his “last decision” as a player.
Suddenly, a roster built around Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey now includes two additional future Hall of Famers. It’s the kind of offseason makeover that doesn’t happen very often in the NBA, and it’s why the Sixers have quickly become one of the most talked-about teams heading into next season.
76ers Starting Lineup for 2026-27
Based on how head coach Nick Nurse has built out the rotation this offseason, the projected 76ers starting lineup looks like this:
- PG – Tyrese Maxey: Philadelphia’s engine and, by several reports, one of the biggest reasons LeBron wanted to join the franchise in the first place. Maxey led the NBA in minutes played last season and is coming off a career-best scoring year.
- SG – Jaylen Brown: The centerpiece return from the Boston trade, Brown brings elite two-way wing play and a track record of delivering in the biggest moments, including a Finals MVP award.
- SF – VJ Edgecombe: The young wing has emerged as a full-time starter and one of the most improved pieces on the roster.
- PF – LeBron James: Even at 41 years old, James remains a do-it-all offensive weapon, averaging right around 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists in his final season with the Lakers.
- C – Joel Embiid: When healthy, Embiid is still one of the most dominant scorers and rim protectors in basketball, and the hope in Philadelphia is that sharing the offensive load with Brown and James will help him stay on the floor more often.
This starting five gives the Sixers five players who have combined for multiple MVP and Finals MVP awards between them, a level of star power that’s rare even by NBA standards.
Sixers Roster 2026: Full Depth Chart
Beyond the starting group, Philadelphia has quietly built one of the more well-rounded benches in the league this offseason. Here’s a look at the rest of the 76ers roster:
Backcourt Depth
- Anfernee Simons – veteran scoring guard added in free agency for shooting and secondary ball-handling
- LaBaron Philon Jr. – rookie point guard, drafted with the No. 22 pick out of Alabama
- Justin Edwards – developing wing/guard depth
- Dalen Terry – athletic perimeter defender
Frontcourt Depth
- Dean Wade – free-agent forward addition, known for versatility and floor spacing
- Jabari Walker – forward depth signed to a standard contract
- Dominick Barlow – energy forward off the bench
- Adem Bona – backup center and rim protector
- Ariel Hukporti – center signed in free agency to add size behind Embiid
- Johni Broome – young center working back from a knee injury suffered during his rookie season
Counting the LeBron James signing along with the additions of Brown, Wade, Hukporti, and Simons, Philadelphia’s roster overhaul has touched almost every position on the floor.
Key Storylines to Watch on the 76ers Roster
Can Joel Embiid Stay Healthy?
Embiid’s health has been the biggest swing factor for Philadelphia for several seasons running. Injuries limited him for large stretches of the 2025-26 season, and he was sidelined for parts of the playoffs. With Brown and James now able to shoulder more of the offensive burden, the Sixers are hoping a lighter individual workload keeps their franchise center available deeper into the postseason.
How Will Minutes Get Distributed?
With Maxey, Brown, James, and Embiid all needing touches, managing shots and minutes will be one of Nick Nurse’s biggest coaching challenges. The good news for Philadelphia is that this group has enough shooting and playmaking that no single player should be forced to overextend himself just to keep the offense moving.
What Does This Mean for the Eastern Conference?
Adding LeBron James and Jaylen Brown to a core that already includes Embiid and Maxey instantly puts Philadelphia in the championship conversation alongside teams like the New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, and San Antonio Spurs. It also adds a new layer of intrigue to the Sixers-Celtics rivalry, given that Brown spent his entire career in Boston before this trade.
76ers News: What’s Next?
Philadelphia is reportedly not done tinkering with its roster. With 14-plus players already on standard contracts, the front office may look to add more frontcourt depth behind Embiid, Bona, and Hukporti before training camp opens. Expect more roster clarity as the preseason approaches and the Sixers finalize their rotation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Who is on the 76ers starting lineup for 2026-27?
The projected starting five is Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, VJ Edgecombe, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid.
Q2. Did LeBron James really sign with the 76ers?
Yes. LeBron James signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers in late July 2026, calling it his “last decision” as an NBA player.
Q3. How did the 76ers get Jaylen Brown?
Philadelphia acquired Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics in a trade that sent Paul George, along with multiple first- and second-round draft picks, to Boston.
Q4. Is Joel Embiid still on the 76ers roster?
Yes. Embiid remains the starting center and is expected to anchor the frontcourt alongside James, with the hope that a lighter offensive load helps him stay healthier.
Q5. Who is the 76ers head coach?
Nick Nurse continues to lead the team heading into the 2026-27 season.
Final Thoughts
The Philadelphia 76ers roster heading into the 2026-27 season is unlike anything the franchise has put together in decades. Between the Jaylen Brown trade and the LeBron James signing, Philadelphia has assembled a genuine championship-caliber core around Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. Health and chemistry will ultimately decide how far this group can go, but on paper, the Sixers are as loaded as any team in the NBA.
Want to stay on top of every trade, signing, and lineup change? Check back for continuing 76ers roster updates and NBA news as the 2026-27 season approaches.
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