LeBron James’ Ex-Teammate Says He Will Be the “Fourth Option” for 76ers, Putting Joel Embiid and Jaylen Brown Above

A new superteam has formed in Philadelphia after LeBron James decided to join the 76ers last Friday. James will team up with Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey, giving the franchise a star-studded core. With all four players established as superstars, questions have naturally emerged about how they will coexist on the court.

Throughout his career, James has been viewed as the leader of every team he has played for, earning the tongue-in-cheek nicknames 'LeCoach' and 'LeGM' because of his influence. As a result, some have questioned whether his presence could disrupt the 76ers' title aspirations. However, former teammate Patrick Beverley believes James is ready to embrace a reduced role, allowing Brown, Embiid, and Maxey to take center stage.

"When you put LeBron James in this situation, to me he's the fourth option," Beverley said on SiriusXM NBA Radio. "He's the third option last year (with the Lakers), and he had a ton of success. Now you get him as a fourth option. Now it's (Embiid), then it's Jaylen Brown, then it's Maxey, then it's LeBron James. He's the fourth option. You name me your fourth option; that's LeBron James."

Beverley's hierarchy places Joel Embiid as the first option, followed by Jaylen Brown, then Tyrese Maxey as the third option, with LeBron James as the team's fourth offensive option.

True enough, it seems that the 76ers are planning for James to take a backseat from being the team's primary scorer. NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Philly intends for LeBron to play point guard, which makes plenty of sense.

Brown and Maxey are two of the most prolific scorers in the league today. Last season, Brown averaged 28.7 points, while Maxey had 28.3 points. James could easily set the scoring duo up for success on the hardwood.

Meanwhile, LeBron is no stranger to thriving alongside an elite big man. He formed one of the NBA's most dominant duos with Anthony Davis, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to the 2020 championship by blending James' playmaking with Davis' interior scoring, rim protection, and pick-and-roll versatility.

That experience gives James a proven blueprint for maximizing a dominant frontcourt partner. If Joel Embiid is healthy, the four-time MVP can lean on the same two-man actions that made the James-Davis partnership so effective, creating high-percentage opportunities for the former MVP while opening up the floor for Philadelphia's perimeter scorers.

NBA Insider Claims LeBron James Has Always Played Point Guard

Now that we know LeBron James will take on the point guard position in the 2026-27 season, some might be worried if he can efficiently deliver in the role. The short answer is yes, he can.

Throughout his historic 23-year career, James has been known to be a pass-first player. Looking at his assist average in his career, he's put up 7.4 assists per game.

He's also in fourth place all-time in assists, currently having 12,016. He is 75 assists away from tying with Jason Kidd in third.

Having all that in mind, NBA insider Brian Windhorst has always seen LeBron as a point guard. While his natural position isn't at the one, he's been playing like a point guard on the court in every game.

"I will just say that LeBron James has played point guard for every team he's ever played," Windhorst said on First Take. "He may not have been the starting point guard, but he's played point guard on his team since he was 12 years old."

With three dominant scoring options within his grasp, the possibilities are limitless with the Philadelphia 76ers. It'll all come down to whether Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey can adjust to the King's tempo on the floor.