SAN FRANCISCO — Stephen Curry recruited LeBron James to the Golden State Warriors this offseason, but James shocked the sports world by signing with the Philadelphia 76ers.
During an interview with SiriusXM NBA Radio, Curry spoke about James’ decision to sign with the 76ers instead of the Warriors.
“I thought there was a conversation, and if there was ever some momentum, it would be known based on the profile LeBron has and if he picks up the phone and says hey what’s going on out there or vice versa, and I pick up the phone and say hey what’s on your mind? You want to be in that conversation for a guy like that that’s picking his landing spot,” Curry said. “But as you know, how he went about it and the way that he was taking his time and being patient and the surprise of Philly.
“He was gonna run his own journey that way, and he deserves to be able to do that. And, you know, as a friend and Olympic teammate and all that, happy for him that he found somewhere that he wants to be. That’s kinda how it’s supposed to be.”
Inside LeBron’s Decision To Join 76ers
June 30, 2026. That’s the day James’ agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, informed the Los Angeles Lakers that King James would not return 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, Miami Heat and Cleveland 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 good 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. The King kept going back and forth between Philadelphia, Miami and Cleveland, sources said.
While LeBron has always wanted to play with 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.
Curry Signed Extension With Warriors
Curry signed a two-year, $116 million extension with the Warriors this offseason.
The sharpshooter plans to follow Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki by playing for only one NBA team.
“This is home,” Curry said at Warriors media day. “This is what we’ve built. This is a community that I’ve played in front of my entire career. Being able to finish the story the right way is a big part of what I can control.”
Curry was eligible for a two-year, $136.7 million extension.
He took a pay cut to give the Warriors financial flexibility.
“There’s a pride of representing the Bay,” Curry said. “Representing this franchise that when I stepped foot here in 2009 and what we’ve all been able to accomplish — this isn’t just a me thing, this is a we — I want to do right by that. It’s always been an importance for me, and going into this contract decision, that was front of mind.”
