LeBron James Signs Two-Year Deal With Philadelphia 76ers

James had appeared to be on the verge of retirement. "I was pretty sure I played my last game," he wrote, recalling the press conference that followed the Lakers' playoff elimination. He said the decision was driven neither by money nor by family, but by a wish to keep competing: "I still want to sacrifice. I still want to work. I still want to grind." The reporting on why he chose Philadelphia differs in emphasis. The Guardian argued that the Lakers were plainly ready to build around 27-year-old Luka Doncic and that James felt pushed aside. Philadelphia's earlier trade for Jaylen Brown, which sent Paul George to Boston, is widely regarded as decisive; James's agent, Rich Paul, said that move "changed everything". The Daily Mail, citing an unnamed source, reported that club executives first had to smooth over old friction between Brown, James and Joel Embiid before the signing could proceed.

Philadelphia has not won a championship since 1983 and has not reached beyond the second round of the playoffs in 25 years. The team finished 45-37 last season and was swept by the eventual champions, the New York Knicks. With James joining a starting group of Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Brown and Embiid, several betting markets immediately installed the 76ers as title favourites. Doubts remain: Embiid has played only 96 regular-season games in three seasons, and his fitness is likely to determine how far the team can go. Should James succeed, he would become the first player to win a championship with four different franchises.