LeBron James elaborates on his decision to join the 76ers
NBA star LeBron James has explained why he chose to join the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason instead of his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. His main motivation was a desire to help Joel Embiid win his first championship ring.
One of the most discussed questions of the past NBA offseason was where LeBron James would continue his career. For a long time, his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, was seen as the frontrunner, but James ultimately chose Philadelphia instead.
A strong bond with Maxey
James revealed that he has built a strong relationship with the 76ers' young point guard, Tyrese Maxey, one that extends beyond the basketball court. He noted, however, that when he mentioned Maxey's name on past podcasts, joining Philadelphia was not yet something being considered.
Brown's arrival as a surprise
This summer, the 76ers not only signed James but also acquired Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown, who was named Finals MVP in 2024, in a trade. According to James, Brown's move to Philadelphia was a key factor that pushed him to seriously consider continuing his career there. He said nobody expected Philadelphia to become involved in that trade, and praised Brown's approach to basketball, saying the player is somewhat misunderstood and often unfairly placed into narrow categories by others.
Wanting to help Embiid
Still, James said the most important factor behind his decision was his desire to help Joel Embiid win a championship ring. He pointed out that Embiid has achieved nearly everything else in his career — an MVP award, Olympic gold, and All-Star selections — but has yet to win a title. James expressed hope that he can be the final missing piece to help Embiid reach that goal.
The Philadelphia 76ers, entering the season with high ambitions, will open their campaign on the night of October 21, facing the reigning champions, the New York Knicks.
