As anticipation mounts for the upcoming NBA season, The Post offers its insights on the top 10 players from the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers. With LeBron James having committed to the 76ers in a surprising twist on Friday, both teams are poised to be formidable contenders in the Eastern Conference.
76ers
Projected starting five (name, age, 2025-26 points per game)
LeBron James, 41, 20.9
LeBron James, one of basketball’s titans, may have made his final career move. Could this decision to join the 76ers secure one last championship in his illustrious journey?
Jaylen Brown, 29, 28.7
Recently acquired in a high-profile exchange, the former Celtics standout once led Boston’s scoring efforts in Jayson Tatum’s absence, but now finds himself adjusting to a secondary role once more.
Joel Embiid, 32, 26.9
Joel Embiid, the towering 7-footer and one-time MVP, has battled injuries, limiting him to a mere 59 regular-season appearances over the past two years. When fit, he remains a dominant force, although his health continues to be a significant concern.
Tyrese Maxey, 25, 28.3
Philadelphia’s future undoubtedly includes Tyrese Maxey, signed to a lucrative $204 million contract. Yet, with an array of new stars joining the 76ers roster, Maxey might find his on-court demands decreasing, potentially lowering his previous tally of 21.4 attempts per game.
VJ Edgecombe, 20, 16.0
Edgecombe finished third in Rookie of the Year voting last year and will complete the starting lineup of this new-look group. His ability to create off the dribble could help create space for the stars.
Bench
Anfernee Simons, 27, 14.3
Simons, a guard, inked a two-year deal with the 76ers in free agency and will provide depth behind Maxey and Edgecombe.
Dean Wade, 29, 5.8
Philadelphia, at least in term, committed to Wade this offseason, handing the former Cavaliers forward a four-year, $39 million contract.
Labaron Philon, 20, 22.0 (Alabama)
Philon joined the 76ers as their first-round pick in June, and the rookie guard averaged 18.5 points and 5.8 assists during summer league games.
Dominick Barlow, 23, 7.7
Unless something goes awry, the 76ers won’t need Barlow to start 59 games again. He’ll instead provide a spark off the bench.
Ariel Hukporti, 24, 2.2
This spot could’ve gone to Justin Edwards (12 starts last year, 37.2 percent on 3-pointers) or Aden Bona, too. Hukporti, the Knicks’ third center last year, signed a one-year deal and will compete with Bona for the backup job behind Embiid.
Knicks
Projected starting five (name, age, 2025-26 points per game)
Jalen Brunson, 29, 26.0
The Knicks’ quest to repeat will run through their captain, with Brunson helping the Knicks snap their 53-year championship drought and becoming one of the greatest players in franchise history.
Karl-Anthony Towns, 30, 20.1
Towns endured plenty of ebbs and flows during his first season in coach Mike Brown’s system, but he made all of those growing pains an afterthought with his playoff performance.
OG Anunoby, 29, 16.7
Anunoby, who possesses the biggest contract in Knicks history ($212.5 million), produced his forever moment with the tip-in to win Game 4 of the NBA Finals — and has continued to improve his game offensively.
Mikal Bridges, 29, 14.4
Bridges silenced any lingering doubts about whether he was worth five first-round picks during the Knicks’ championship run, but now he’ll be tasked with stretching that consistency across a full season.
Josh Hart, 31, 12.0
Always a double-double threat who’s willing to fill just about any role, Hart, who enters his fourth full year with the Knicks, has become an integral piece of their success.
Bench
Miles McBride, 25, 12.0
He won’t be a bargain for long, but McBride, a strong option off the bench capable of starting when needed, will spend 2026-27 on the final year of his three-year, $13 million deal.
Landry Shamet, 29, 9.3
After fighting through injuries and surviving a nonguaranteed deal, Shamet etched his place in Knicks lore with playoff contributions off the bench — and then was rewarded with a four-year, $24 million deal.
Andre Drummond, 32, 6.4
Drummond became the Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson replacement at center behind Towns, leaving the 76ers in free agency for a one-year deal worth $3.9 million.
Jordan Clarkson, 34, 8.6
The former Sixth Man of the Year winner proved he’s still capable of contributing, even if his role — and his stats — looks a little bit different than earlier in his career.
Jose Alvarado, 28, 6.6
A feisty backup point guard capable of providing a jolt off the bench, Alvarado extended his homecoming with a three-year deal last month.