LeBron James sent shockwaves through the NBA on Friday when he announced the final stop in his remarkable career would be with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The 41-year-old, who left the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons, admitted he thought he had played his final game in the NBA, but has decided instead to sign a two-year deal – worth around $8 million – with the Sixers.
But he did so without any guarantee he would walk into a welcoming environment. Yes, the pieces seem to be in place in America’s birthplace for instant success, but talks were needed ‘to clear the air’ before their superstar’s arrival.
There would have definitely been an awkward reunion with Jaylen Brown, whose trade from the Boston Celtics to Philadelphia earlier in the offseason is believed to have been a major factor in the recruitment of James.
While with the Celtics, Brown went viral for some unflattering comments he made about James’ son, Bronny, after he was drafted by his dad’s Lakers back in 2024.
In a blunt assessment of the then-rookie’s ability, Brown said: ‘I don’t think Bronny is a pro.’ Brown also rattled the cage of another new teammate, Joel Embiid, earlier this year.
LeBron James, pictured with wife Savannah, stunned the NBA by signing with the Sixers
After being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Sixers, Brown said: ‘Flopping has ruined our league. Joel Embiid is one of the greatest players that has played basketball, but he flops. He knows it too.’
But The Daily Mail understands Sixers executives have been trying to smooth things over behind the scenes in recent weeks. Honest discussions have taken place and the team’s stars have buried the hatchet ahead of James’ arrival.
A source told us: ‘Any issues LeBron may have had with Jaylen (Brown) ultimately took a backseat because winning changes everything. The opportunity to join what the Sixers could become was simply too good to pass up.
‘He’s already won championships by changing teams in Miami and Cleveland, so returning to either situation would have felt like a step backward.
‘And while Golden State had been viewed as the frontrunner for a while, it increasingly looked like more of a retirement tour than a true championship destination, especially with how difficult the path to the NBA Finals is in the Western Conference.
‘The Eastern Conference presents a much more realistic road back to the Finals, particularly with the talent Philadelphia already has in place.’
They continued: ‘Jaylen also had past issues with Joel Embiid, but conversations have been had, everything has been smoothed over. Tyrese Maxey’s presence – along with his connection with Rich Paul – helped reassure everyone involved.
‘In the end, it became the obvious choice. Everyone spoke with LeBron, cleared the air and made sure there would be no lingering problems.’
One of James’ new teammates is Jaylen Brown, who questioned his son Bronny’s ability
Brown’s blockbuster trade from the Celtics is believed to have been key in recruiting James
It remains to be seen what James’ wife, Savannah, will do. After eight years in Los Angeles and the glamorous lifestyle that comes with it, it is unclear how she feels about the prospect of returning to the East Coast.
Like her husband, Savannah was born in Akron, Ohio and the pair met when James was playing high school football and she was cheerleading for the rival team.
They share three children – Bronny, Bryce and Zhuri – but our source says James has made a promise to them that this will be his final shot at an elusive fifth NBA championship.
They added: ‘Just as importantly, his wife and kids fully supported the move after LeBron assured them that this would be his final chapter. Once this is over, he’s done.’
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer made the announcement on social media Friday, saying it will be his ‘last decision’ and that it comes after he strongly considered retirement.
The Sixers, who went 45-37 last season and were swept in the second round by the NBA champion New York Knicks and have not won an NBA championship since 1983, quickly emerged as favourites to win the championship with most betting sites.
‘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 said.
A four-time NBA champion, James wrote he was ‘done’ when his 23rd NBA season ended and that it was his last with the Lakers.
‘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.’
Joel Embiid (right) also had issues with Brown but the team is focused on winning with James
Our source has said LeBron has promised his family this will be his final contract in the NBA
The 41-year-old James is set to sign a modest $8-million, two-year contract with the Sixers, according to ESPN. He made nearly $53 million last season.
‘I’m not going for money. I’m not going for family,’ James wrote. ‘What am I really playing for at this point? I still want to sacrifice. I still want to work. I still want to grind. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning.’
James celebrated his decision on Instagram with a career highlight reel set to Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill’s ‘Dreams and Nightmares,’ the adopted sports anthem of city sports teams.
The video ends with the lyric, ‘hold up, wait a minute. Y’all thought I was finished?’ and cuts to a Sixers’ logo. Philadelphia will be praying he can deliver one final special run.
