What happened: The 76ers fired Daryl Morey after six seasons, then added LeBron James in July. In 2019, James wanted Morey to delay his comments until the Lakers had left China.
Why it matters: James will begin the 2026-27 season under Philadelphia's new basketball leadership. The sequence adds fresh context to a public disagreement that followed the NBA's 2019 China trip.
By the numbers: Morey spent six seasons running Philadelphia's basketball operations. James is set to extend his NBA career to a 24th season.
What to watch: James' first season in Philadelphia will test the roster assembled after the front-office change.