‘I’m Having A Great Time’: LeBron James Very Happy He Chose To Sign With Philadelphia 76ers
PHILADELPHIA — When LeBron James decided not to re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason, the NBA legend considered signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors before choosing the Philadelphia 76ers.
It’s early, but so far, it appears James made the right decision, as the 76ers are atop the Eastern Conference standings with a 6-1 record.
“I’m having a great time,” James said. “… I’m a big-ass kid, to be completely honest, but these guys are great to be around, and I’m more than happy that I made the decision to come here.”
James has played in five games this season. He’s averaging 16.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game while shooting 44.9% from the field, 26.3% from beyond the arc and 62.5% from the free-throw line.
The 76ers are 4-1 with James in the lineup. The future Hall of Famer has missed two games due to injury management.
Inside LeBron’s Decision To Join 76ers
June 30, 2026. That’s the day James’ agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, informed the Lakers that LeBron would not be returning to the franchise.
One day later, the 76ers agreed to acquire Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics in a blockbuster deal that ultimately pushed James to sign with the franchise one of his closest friends, Hall of Famer Allen Iverson, used to star for.
“The Jaylen trade pushed LeBron to sign with Philly,” a source told Dallas Sports Journal.
This offseason was the first time since 2018 James was an unrestricted free agent. The 76ers, Warriors, Heat and Cavaliers were the four teams the NBA icon seriously considered joining before eventually signing with Philadelphia.
Had the 76ers not traded for Brown, James would not be in Philadelphia.
“LeBron would not be on the 76ers right now if they didn’t get Jaylen,” a source told Dallas Sports Journal. “That was the move that made this all happen.”
When James’ son, Bronny James, was playing in Summer League for the Lakers in 2024, Brown was caught on camera saying, “I don’t think Bronny is a pro.” Sources said LeBron was not happy about what Brown had to say about his son, who nearly died in July 2023 when he suffered a cardiac arrest during a basketball workout at the University of Southern California.
LeBron thought a player of Brown’s caliber would understand that it would take Bronny time to regain confidence and rhythm on the basketball court after such a traumatic event, sources said.
When the 76ers acquired Brown, many people around the NBA speculated that the move would deter them from getting LeBron. However, sources told Dallas Sports Journal at the beginning of July that LeBron and Brown have moved past their differences and are on great terms, so much so that Brown — along with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey — heavily recruited LeBron to the City of Brotherly Love.
LeBron didn’t tell Paul about his decision to sign with the 76ers until one hour past midnight on July 24. He kept going back and forth between Philadelphia, Miami and Cleveland, sources said.
While LeBron has always wanted to play with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, and living in San Francisco would have allowed him to be close to his wife and daughter in Los Angeles, LeBron never seriously considered joining the Warriors, sources said.
“It was between Miami, Philly and Cleveland for LeBron,” a source told Dallas Sports Journal. “He’s already won in Miami and Cleveland. He wanted a new challenge and wants to bring Philly a ring.”
The 76ers have never advanced past the second round of the playoffs in the Embiid era. That will likely change this season with LeBron in the fold next to Embiid, Maxey, Brown and VJ Edgecombe.
