Shelburne: LeBron avoided rerunning Miami, Cleveland chapters

His two-year, $8 million deal includes a player option.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jul 251 min read

Didn’t think I’d be quoting a Chinese proverb to explain why LeBron James chose to play in Philadelphia over a return to Via @ramonashelburne on X

What happened: Ramona Shelburne invoked a proverb about never stepping in the same river twice to explain the choice. Its message centers on how people and familiar places change over time.

Why it matters: LeBron James enters unfamiliar territory in Philadelphia instead of revisiting two former stops. He has said his priority is competing for the 2027 championship.

By the numbers: James is 41 and will enter his 24th NBA season. His contract is worth $8 million over two years.

What to watch: Philadelphia now must integrate James for the upcoming 2026-27 season. His pursuit of another championship will shape expectations.

Sources

@ramonashelburne 2026-07-25T05:39:21.286572+00:00

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