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.