LeBron James Shares Joel Embiid’s Viral Offseason Transformation With a Message to Fans

For the first time since 2024, LeBron James and Joel Embiid are set to become teammates. The two stars initially collaborated during the 2024 Paris Olympics as part of Team USA. James and Embiid found success after winning the gold medal over Victor Wembanyama and France. Fast forward to the present day, they're set to play together as part of the Philadelphia 76ers.

LeBron recently went on social media to show support for his new teammate. Embiid posted some photos and a video of his transformation on Instagram. The 76ers' big man looks a bit leaner than usual, showing signs of physical progress this summer. Being the proud teammate that he is, James reposted Embiid's post on his Instagram stories with a message to Philly fans.

"Trust the process," James wrote.

Honestly, this is a good sign for the Sixers. Last season, Embiid only managed to compete in 38 regular-season games. This was due to recurring left knee soreness and an oblique strain that he sustained mid-season.

Despite his lengthy absence, Joel managed to make a playoff comeback, helping the 76ers beat the Boston Celtics in seven games in the first round.

Unfortunately, injuries got in the way again in the second round when Philly took on the 2026 NBA champions, the New York Knicks. Embiid's absence due to an ankle injury sustained in Game 1 ultimately led to the Sixers being swept.

However, it seems like Embiid is now more motivated to get stronger and better now that LeBron and Jaylen Brown are his teammates. Hopefully, the work he's putting in this summer will result in a less injury-prone run during the 2026-27 season.

Joel Embiid Allegedly Helped 76ers Recruit LeBron James

Among the three stars of the Philadelphia 76ers, Joel Embiid remains the only one who hasn't given his thoughts on LeBron James joining the team. When James announced he was signing with the 76ers, Embiid took to X to post about F1 driver Max Verstappen.

"WOW VERSTAPPEN IS ACTUALLY THE GOAT!! WHAT A DIVEBOMB LMAO," Embiid humorously wrote on X.

Fans immediately caught on, as the "GOAT" comment referred to LeBron heading to Philly. Apparently, according to NBA insider Dave McMenamin, Embiid was heavily involved in James' recruitment.

McMenamin also revealed that Tyrese Maxey led the cause. When Jaylen Brown was traded to the 76ers, Maxey immediately took action, convincing his two teammates to help recruit LeBron.

"A trio of Sixers players — Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and the newly acquired Jaylen Brown…— worked on James directly," McMenamin reported. "That effort was led by Maxey."

Given how Brown, Embiid, and Maxey all made an effort to bring James to Philly, we could assume that chemistry wouldn't be a problem heading into the 2026-27 season. Clearly, all four players have mutual interests.

Hopefully, it will translate into meaningful basketball when the upcoming season commences.