LeBron James Joins 76ers in Two-Year Deal

James had seemed ready to retire. "I was pretty sure I played my last game," he wrote, looking back on the end of the Lakers' season. He said he did not choose Philadelphia for money or family, but because he still wants to compete and win. Reports differ on the details. The Guardian suggested that the Lakers wanted to build their future around 27-year-old Luka Doncic, leaving James feeling pushed aside. Philadelphia's earlier deal for Jaylen Brown is widely seen as the key moment; James's agent, Rich Paul, said it "changed everything". The Daily Mail reported that club officials first had to settle old arguments between Brown, James and Joel Embiid.

Philadelphia has not won the championship since 1983. Last season the team finished with 45 wins and 37 losses, then lost every game of its series against the New York Knicks, who became champions. With James alongside Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid, betting companies quickly made the 76ers favourites for next season's title. One worry remains: Embiid has played only 96 regular-season games in three seasons. If James does win in Philadelphia, he will be the first player to take the title with four different clubs.