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NBA·ANALYSIS·July 27, 2026 03:24 AM ET

LeBron revisits 2018 Philadelphia interest with 76ers move

He viewed Philadelphia as his best shot at a fifth title

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jul 271 min read
Post on X
I’ve been at nearly every LeBron James game with the Lakers for the last four years. Here’s what I saw, and why, after t Via @DanWoikeSports on X

What happened: James seriously considered Philadelphia in 2018 before choosing Los Angeles, according to a former Lakers teammate quoted by Dan Woike. Eight years later, James joined the 76ers on a two-year, $8 million contract.

Why it matters: The choice prioritizes a championship pursuit as James enters his 24th NBA season. It also shifts him toward a complementary role after eight seasons as the Lakers’ centerpiece.

By the numbers: James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds across 60 games in 2025-26. Philadelphia sits $2.01 million below the first apron after its post-deal roster moves.

What to watch: Watch how Philadelphia defines James’ role and uses its remaining apron room before the 2026-27 season.

Sources

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NBAAnalysisLos Angeles LakersPhiladelphia 76ersLeBron James
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