“Best Starting 5 He’s Ever Had”: Colin Cowherd Urges LeBron James to Join an Eastern Conference Team and It’s Not Cavs

After LeBron James entered free agency this summer, analyst Colin Cowherd said that signing with a particular Eastern Conference team would give James the best team possible. Reports suggest that James is looking at four other teams to join for the 2026 season: the Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves and the Cleveland Cavaliers. But the veteran analyst is sure that his pick is the one for King James.

While many want to see James finish his career where it all started in Cleveland, Cowherd recommends that he play for the Philadelphia 76ers. Cowherd recently spoke on this during a segment of his show, The Herd.

"I'm going to say something that you're going to think I'm crazy. I truly believe this. If LeBron joined the Philadelphia 76ers, this is the best starting 5 he's ever had, easily."

Cowherd elaborated on the decorated Sixers lineup that would be further elevated by James' signing.

"If you're talking quality lineup, All-NBA, (VJ) Edgecombe, ascending rocket ship, Joel Embiid, Hall of Famer MVP, Jaylen Brown, All-NBA."

With Embiid and Maxey averaging 26.9 ppg and 28.3 ppg last season, and rookie VJ Edgecombe averaging 5.6 rebounds to go with 16 points, the Sixers would look a lot stronger with James on the roster. The addition of former Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown makes this case even stronger.

Cowherd isn't alone in his pitch. Brown has taken recruitment into his own hands.

On a recent Twitch livestream with content creator IShowSpeed, Brown humorously asked Speed to help him recruit the King. Brown told Speed exactly what to say, hoping to get clipped and eventually reach James' feed.

"So, you gotta tell LeBron, 'You gotta pull up, man. Pull up to Philly,'" Brown told Speed during the livestream.

If the Sixers can land James, they become a legitimate title threat in the Eastern Conference, and a difficult matchup in the finals, if James can lead them there.

James isn't interested in talking to teams in person yet. Until his agent, Rich Paul, figures out a good deal for him, James will continue to enjoy time off after 23 years in the league.

But a certain inside source is sure that James is heading not to the Sixers, but where he started his career.

Insider claims LeBron James has agreed to a deal with the Cavs amid 76ers rumors

At 41 years old, James still provides veteran presence along with significant scoring and playmaking. Last season, he averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals. He then led the Los Angeles Lakers to the playoffs, knocking out the Houston Rockets in the first round.

Given how LeBron James is still capable of carrying teams, it's no surprise that many teams still want to sign him. NBA insider Bill Simmons claims that James already cut out a deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He spoke about this on his podcast, The Bill Simmons Podcast.

"It's pretty clear (Golden State Warriors) were being used as leverage as LeBron goes back to Cleveland ... the Cleveland thing is done."

It wouldn't be surprising if that were the case. LeBron finishing his career in Cleveland, where he began, would be a fitting way to hang up the laces. But it would be interesting to see how James would perform alongside the Sixers, especially given the Celtics' recent trade of Brown to Philadelphia.