The decision is in – LeBron James is headed to Philly!
ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news Friday morning, via LeBron’s agent and Klutch Sports Group CEO Rich Paul, that James has agreed to a two-year, $8 million option to join the Sixers.
The deal pairs LeBron with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and now Jaylen Brown, who was acquired July 1 and made Philly a ‘legit destination’ according to ESPN. Miami and Cleveland, the two other teams he has played for, and Golden State were also suitors once LeBron told the Lakers he wouldn’t be returning, and there was scuttlebutt about the latter also possibly trying to acquire Anthony Davis from Washington to reunite AD and LBJ to form a Big 3 with Steph Curry.
Shortly after the news broke, James took to his social media to explain his thought process during the three-week period between free agency opening and the decision, opening up that he wasn’t sure he would be playing this season at all:
“I thought I was done when the season ended. I wasn't ready to announce it, and I knew I needed some time to really decide, but I was pretty sure I played my last game. I was honest at that last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and deicide if I still love this game,” James wrote. “I still truly love this game, and I have more to give. The last few weeks have really been special. I’ve never been able to have no clue what to do and take real time to just think. I’ve had an incredible few months with all the people I love trying to figure it all out.”
James further wrote this is his ‘last decision’ – insinuating that either this season or next will be the end – and he chose Philly because he ‘still want(s) to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning a championship.’
“I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time,” James wrote.
LeBron’s resume needs no dap beyond his name, but as a reminder, the 2003 No. 1 overall pick has spent 23 seasons in the league with the Cavs, Heat, Cava again, and Lakers, winning four NBA Championships (and earning Finals MVP honors in all four) and earning four NBA MVP Awards with 10 more Top 5 finishes.
He was also the 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year and 2007-08 scoring champion, has been an All-Star in all 23 of his seasons, and his 1,622 games played is an NBA record.
And now, he can add one more title to his resume: Sixer.
