Why the 76ers have the Celtics and Knicks to thank for the arrival of LeBron James
It will take some getting used to seeing LeBron James in a Philadelphia 76ers uniform, but here it is. James chose to finish his NBA career with an unexpected announcement on Friday, ending one of the free agency sagas are too long in recent memory.
James revealed that he eventually came with the Sixers because he believes he can help them advance to the championship — the fifth and the franchise’s first since 1983. The way Philly has become a team James feels is a good fit is exciting, and the Sixers can thank their two biggest rivals — the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks — for paving the way for James’ arrival.
A piece of the Celtics puzzle is obvious. Boston chooses to accept Philadelphia’s offer of Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks for Jaylen Brown made the Sixers look even more like legitimate contenders in the East. Brown, coming off his best season as a pro, should give the Sixers the kind of production they’ve been desperately looking for on the wing since Jimmy Butler left in 2019. Tobias Harris and George have failed to live up to expectations in that role for various reasons, but Brown has proven himself to be a true two-way wing on a championship team in the past.
Adding Brown to a roster that includes Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey — James’ favorite Klutch client, by many accounts, — makes the Sixers a legitimate candidate for James, who was a great fit for the power forward spot vacated by George’s departure. Rich Paul, James’ agent, noted on his Game Over podcast that Philly wasn’t part of James’ consideration until after the trade.
“The eyeball came from behind [Jaylen Brown] trade. To be really, really considered,” said Paul.
Paul then confirmed that without the Browns’ trade, James is not signing with Philly. “No. I mean you love Tyrese [Maxey]it’s still very difficult.”
Despite that trade, James looks at the Sixers’ roster and sees overlap between himself and George and a team that isn’t close to contending and has chosen a different landing spot.
LeBron James explains his decision to join the 76ers and how close he is to retirement
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Winning the title changed LeBron’s thinking
The Knicks’ role in James’ free agency is twofold. Rich Paul, James’ longtime friend and agent, he said openly on his podcast that, if the Knicks hadn’t won the title this summer, there wouldn’t even be a long internal debate. James would have signed in New York in his final chapter of trying to end the Knicks’ title drought. But as the Knicks topped the San Antonio Spurs to win their first title since 1973, James took them off the list.
“If the Knicks hadn’t won, there wouldn’t have been a board,” Paul said while explaining the 10 teams being considered on the white board. “He’ll be going to the Knicks.”
James also saw the reaction in New York to snapping that championship streak, fans flocking to the streets to celebrate and parade along with hundreds of thousands, and he couldn’t help but want that feeling again. The culmination of James’ career was giving the people of Cleveland a title and celebrating it in his hometown. Even if he returned to the Cavs and won a second time, that experience and feeling could not be repeated. The only person who can reach that kind of happiness and adoration would be in a place with fans who are hungry for a title.
The Knicks took themselves off the top of that list in June and put the Sixers, with a 43-year championship drought, in the No. 1 spot. James knows that if there’s one place he can meaningfully add to his legacy right now, it’s winning a title in Philadelphia. While that’s a big hill to climb, even with the list they put together, the reward outweighs the risk of falling down. James is a man made in Cleveland and Miami. The Golden State Warriors and Spurs have no shortage of titles. The Denver Nuggets just won one, and another option would be the Minnesota Timberwolves, who don’t boast the same history as the Sixers.
James may no longer be the No. 1 option. 1 on the team, but if his signing tips the scales toward the Sixers’ championship, he’ll quickly become a Philly legend. After seeing the praise the Knicks received after winning the title, it’s not hard to believe that it influenced James’ decision to pursue a similar opportunity in Philadelphia.
