Following three weeks of indecisiveness, angst and mixed messaging, LeBron James finally determined his future.
He announced that he will join the Philadelphia 76ers, a decision that shows he has prioritized the chance to collect two more Larry O’Brien trophies before the end of a planned 25-year NBA career.
“I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning,” James wrote on his X account. “I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team.”
James’ agent, Rich Paul, told me three weeks ago that “everything is a blank slate” and that it remained unclear how James would rank the varying factors that would determine his future.
During a Fanfest event last week, however, James said he would factor in winning, fit and family. But as James weighed options among Philadelphia, Miami, Cleveland and Golden State, it seemed certain that James couldn’t achieve all of those goals.
James talked glowingly about wanting to remain close to his wife (Savannaha) and daughter (Zhuri) in Los Angeles. So much that he hoped to see as many of Zhuri’s’ club and youth volleyball matches as possible. That would have been possible if he stayed with the Los Angeles Lakers on a reduced salary and role to accommodate Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. That would have been possible if he joined the Golden State Warriors partly so he could spend off days in LA.
And yet…
“I’m not going for family,” James wrote on X.
Ever since taking a relative paycut to play with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami (2010), James has scoffed at ever taking a significant discount. James enforced max contracts on one-year deals during his second stint with Cleveland (2014-18). James signed with the Lakers initially on four-year, max contract deal. When James signed a two-year, $101.35 million extension with the Lakers in 2024, he accepted a modest discount ($2.7 million) for the Lakers to avoid second-apron restrictions. James would have only taken a steeper discount if it ensured the Lakers landed a marquee free agent.
So when the Lakers further committed to Reaves ahead of James in free agency, it became clear that James would have to take a significant discount to stay with the Lakers. The Lakers still theoretically could have paid James the most. But the Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat also could have secured James with at least some of their mid-level exception. Instead, James accepted a steeper discount to play with the Sixers (two years, $8 million).
“I’m not going for money,” James wrote on X.
Following James’ exit with the Lakers, rival NBA executives and coaches thought he would at least prioritize the best landing spot to ensure the best farewell tour.
If he joined Cleveland, he would enjoy an organic reception. James grew up in Akron, Ohio before the Cavaliers drafted James at No. 1 in 2003 straight out of St. Vincent High School. After a significant portion of the Cavaliers’ fanbase felt spurned after James announced in a one-hour special that he would leave for Miami in 2011, James reestablished goodwill by returning to Cleveland (2014) and delivering the Cavs their first NBA championship in franchise history (2016). If he joined the Heat, the farewell tour would have at least included some established history with James’ two NBA titles (2012, 2013) in four Finals appearances (2011-2014).
And yet…..
“I am so excited to energize a new fan base,” James wrote on X, “and start this incredible journey one last time.”
Why James chose the Sixers
That’s because James joined a team best equipped to win an NBA championship with his presence. He lacked interest in joining established championship contenders, including the New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. That would only cloud any of his valuable contributions and enhance criticism about any of his shortcomings. Though James had intriguing options elsewhere, they all had serious flaws.
James loved playing with Stephen Curry on the Paris Olympics, but joining the Warriors would not be as magical as their dynasty years. They have an aging roster with Curry, Draymond Green, Kristaps Porzingis and Jimmy Butler without strong assurances their core could stay healthy consistently.
James could have made the Heat a legitimate contender by complementing Bam Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo with playmaking duties and leaning on their defensive help. But the Heat don’t have enough consistent shooters. All three stars could have gotten in each other’s way in the paint.
James could have helped the Cavaliers make a deeper playoff push. But that could would have required the Cavs either to trade away some of their supporting cast to make room for James. Or it would have required James to figure out how to share ballhandling duties with Donovan Mitchell and James Harden without many defensive perimeter help.
James could have taught a young Minnesota Timberwolves team how to win more consistently with their dynamic scorer (Anthony Edwards) and recently acquired playmaker (LaMelo Ball). Even with James’ presence, the Wolves wouldn’t have enough depth to threaten the Western Conference contenders.
As for the Sixers?
They already seemed equipped to threaten New York in the East after surprisingly acquiring Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics for Paul George, two first-round picks (2028, 2031) and two second-round selections (2028, 2030). Brown garnered some MVP consideration after thriving as the Celtics’ No. 1 option mostly without Jayson Tatum. Sixers point guard Tyrese Maxey has become an All-Star for his consistent scoring and playmaking. VJ Edgecombe became the league’s third-best rookie last season behind Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel for his athleticism, shooting and defensive versatility. When healthy, Joel Embiid has remained one of the NBA’s most dominant centers.
Sure, the Sixers harbor some question marks. How durable will Embiid ever be? Will Brown and Maxey figure out their scoring and dynamic playmaking just fine? Can Edgecombe avoid a sophomore slump? How comfortable will James be as the third or even fourth option after admittedly experiencing a learning curve last season with Dončić and Reaves? Those question marks pale to the other teams that James could have joined.
As for his fit, James eventually thrived in his reduced row last season with more reps and better lineup combinations around him. Here’s a safe bet that James will fit in just fine because of the Sixers’ superior talent. How about Brown’s criticisms of James’ son, Bronny, during Las Vegas Summer League? Here’s a safe bet that James will poke fun at Brown about it and then move on entirely.
“I still want to sacrifice,” James said. “I still want to work. I still want to grind.”
Even as he grinds in hopes to win his fifth and possibly even his sixth NBA title, James could still enjoy an authentic farewell tour in Philadelphia. He has zero history with that fanbase. But he can create history this upcoming season by helping the Sixers win their first NBA championship since 1983. Even if the the Sixers fall short, their passionate fanbase will embrace James so long as he competes consistently. Amid all the criticism he has faced about his influence over organizations, James has stayed reliable with his work ethic, his availability and his play.
“The last few weeks have really been special,” James wrote on X. “I’ve never been able to have no clue what to do and take real time to just think.”
Now that James had time to think, he made what he called his “last decision” mostly about winning.
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