CBS Sports says 76ers finally have everything they need – Atlantic Division roundup

No Atlantic Division team took the floor yesterday, but there was no shortage of storylines as the regular season approaches. The Philadelphia 76ers, in particular, continue to sit squarely in the spotlight.

All eyes on the high‑stakes 76ers

CBS Sports writes that the 76ers seem to finally have everything they need to make a serious run, noting that the franchise, which hasn’t won a title since 1983, added LeBron James and Jaylen Brown over the summer. That combination, according to the outlet, makes the upcoming season both thrilling and nerve‑wracking for the fan base.

Health is another reason for optimism. Chris Hine of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Joel Embiid’s improved condition has helped the team’s preparations, with the star center fully available from the start of training camp and giving head coach Nick Nurse the chance to implement his offensive concepts without holding back.

There was a setback on the injury front, though. Hoops Rumors relays that forward Dominick Barlow has been diagnosed with a bone stress response in his lumbar spine and will be sidelined for at least two weeks before being reevaluated. On the transaction side, the same outlet notes that Philadelphia has exercised its team option on VJ Edgecombe’s contract for the 2027-28 season, a move portrayed as a formality for the recent No. 3 overall pick.

CBS Sports also points out that even with LeBron James now on the 76ers, his son Bronny James held onto his roster spot with the Los Angeles Lakers, while 2024 first‑round pick Dalton Knecht did not.

Knicks lean on continuity amid outside skepticism

In New York, the defending champion Knicks are counting on stability. Peter Sblendorio of the New York Daily News writes that the team boosted its chances of repeating by keeping most of its roster intact. According to his report, free agents Landry Shamet, Jose Alvarado and Jordan Clarkson all agreed to return, preserving much of last season’s core.

Elsewhere, not everyone expects another smooth ride for the Knicks. In a set of bold predictions for 2026-27, CBS Sports foresees a letdown season in New York while also highlighting league‑wide storylines such as a major year for Victor Wembanyama and the possibility of big trades across the NBA.

Standings unchanged heading into tipoff

With no games on the schedule, the Atlantic standings remain the same: the Boston Celtics are out front at 4-0, followed by the Brooklyn Nets at 3-1. The Toronto Raptors sit at 2-3, while the Philadelphia 76ers are 1-3 and the New York Knicks 1-4. The baseline is set for a season in which expectations vary wildly across the division.