When it comes to teams like the Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New York Knicks, the Philadelphia 76ers are eyeing them as the teams to beat next season. Detroit finished first in the Eastern Conference before the playoffs. The Cavaliers knocked them off in round two to get to the Eastern Conference Finals. Then, the Knicks won the East and won it all.
For a few weeks, the Sixers didn't look any better than the East's group of Play-In teams. Suddenly, they swapped out Paul George for Jaylen Brown, and eventually won the LeBron James sweepstakes.
Some players (like Bam Adebayo) see the LeBron James threat and put on the tough team talk. Others, like Cade Cunningham, have a strangely interesting reaction to the superstar landing back in the East.
Cade Cunningham is... excited?
Discussing the state of the Pistons and the Eastern Conference with Men's Journal, Cade Cunningham didn't hold back his thoughts on the upcoming battles he will have with the Sixers.
"It's a lot of talent over there. I'm excited for it more than anything," the veteran guard told Matt Hladik. "It's just an experience. It's something that I'll be able to tell my kids about. It's the ultimate, as far as playing high-level basketball, you want to play against the best. To have him come to the East, to have the Sixers make the moves they did and the rest of the East--Giannis [Antetokounmpo] to Miami--it's a fun dynamic. I enjoy the competition."
They say Cade is one of the most ethical hoopers in the game currently. He's seemingly one of the most ethical trash talkers as well. Nothing but compliments and excitement for this Sixers team in 2026-2027.
The East is on notice
The 76ers aren't going to let the nice guy act fool them, though. When you add a LeBron to the squad, you're getting every player and team's best shot each night. Every player either wants to impress the King or have bragging rights for beating him.
At the same time, the Sixers are only considered the team to beat based on what they did on paper. It all still has to come together on the court, which could prove to be a challenge at first.
But it's evident that the LeBron-JB effect isn't going to allow last year's No. 1 team during the regular season to overlook Philly. The Sixers have the East on notice, and they are primed for a challenging run in 2026-2027.
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