When asked about the move in a White House news conference later, Trump explained why he believed Michael Jordan was the better player.
Jordan, 63, won six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s and NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) five times.
When asked whether Jordan or James was the "best ever", Trump said: "Michael Jordan is a guy that's a friend of mine. I play golf with him. He's a really good guy.
"I think LeBron is, maybe he's a racist, but maybe he doesn't like Trump. I don't know. I only like people that like me, so I would say Michael Jordan all the way."
James, who has not responded to Trump's comment, has been a regular critic of Trump during his terms as president and endorsed Democrat candidates Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris when they ran against him.
In 2017 he referred to Trump as "a bum" following a row over invitations to the White House for NBA-winning teams.
James has won four NBA titles with the Miami Heat (twice), the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers.
He has been named the league's MVP four times and is the NBA's all-time leader in points and games played.
James will be looking to secure a fifth title with the 76ers following his announcement on Friday that he is heading to Philadelphia.
They now boast the talents of James and All-Stars Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown.
"I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team," James said in a lengthy post on social media.
The Post breaks down the top 10 players on the Knicks and the 76ers — set to be two of the Eastern Conference’s contenders next season — after LeBron James’ decision to sign with Philadelphia on Friday:
76ers
Projected starting five (name, age, 2025-26 points per game)
LeBron James, 41, 20.9
One of the greatest players of all time called this his last decision. Will it lead to the final title of his historic career too?
LeBron James and Jalen Brunson during the 2025-26 season. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
Jaylen Brown, 29, 28.7
The former Celtics star, acquired in a blockbuster trade earlier this month, served as Boston’s primary scorer when Jayson Tatum was out, but now he’ll be more of a secondary option again.
Joel Embiid, 32, 26.9
The oft-injured 7-footer has been limited to just 59 combined regular-season games the last two seasons. If healthy, Embiid, a former MVP, can still dominate, but that’s a major caveat at this point.
Tyrese Maxey, 25, 28.3
He’s still a major piece of the future in Philadelphia, but with the 76ers surrounding him with other stars in the present, Maxey, on a $204 million deal, might not need to average 21.4 attempts per game.
VJ Edgecombe, 20, 16.0
Edgecombe finished third in Rookie of the Year voting last year and will complete the starting lineup of this new-look group. His ability to create off the dribble could help create space for the stars.
Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) blocks a shot by 76ers guard Vj Edgecombe. Jason Szenes for the New York Post
Bench
Anfernee Simons, 27, 14.3
Simons, a guard, inked a two-year deal with the 76ers in free agency and will provide depth behind Maxey and Edgecombe.
Dean Wade, 29, 5.8
Philadelphia, at least in term, committed to Wade this offseason, handing the former Cavaliers forward a four-year, $39 million contract.
Labaron Philon, 20, 22.0 (Alabama)
Philon joined the 76ers as their first-round pick in June, and the rookie guard averaged 18.5 points and 5.8 assists during summer league games.
Dominick Barlow, 23, 7.7
Unless something goes awry, the 76ers won’t need Barlow to start 59 games again. He’ll instead provide a spark off the bench.
Ariel Hukporti, 24, 2.2
This spot could’ve gone to Justin Edwards (12 starts last year, 37.2 percent on 3-pointers) or Aden Bona, too. Hukporti, the Knicks’ third center last year, signed a one-year deal and will compete with Bona for the backup job behind Embiid.
Knicks
Projected starting five (name, age, 2025-26 points per game)
Jalen Brunson, 29, 26.0
The Knicks’ quest to repeat will run through their captain, with Brunson helping the Knicks snap their 53-year championship drought and becoming one of the greatest players in franchise history.
Karl-Anthony Towns, 30, 20.1
Towns endured plenty of ebbs and flows during his first season in coach Mike Brown’s system, but he made all of those growing pains an afterthought with his playoff performance.
OG Anunoby, 29, 16.7
Anunoby, who possesses the biggest contract in Knicks history ($212.5 million), produced his forever moment with the tip-in to win Game 4 of the NBA Finals — and has continued to improve his game offensively.
Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby celebrate during the NBA Finals. Jason Szenes for the New York Post
Mikal Bridges, 29, 14.4
Bridges silenced any lingering doubts about whether he was worth five first-round picks during the Knicks’ championship run, but now he’ll be tasked with stretching that consistency across a full season.
Josh Hart, 31, 12.0
Always a double-double threat who’s willing to fill just about any role, Hart, who enters his fourth full year with the Knicks, has become an integral piece of their success.
Bench
Miles McBride, 25, 12.0
He won’t be a bargain for long, but McBride, a strong option off the bench capable of starting when needed, will spend 2026-27 on the final year of his three-year, $13 million deal.
Landry Shamet, 29, 9.3
After fighting through injuries and surviving a nonguaranteed deal, Shamet etched his place in Knicks lore with playoff contributions off the bench — and then was rewarded with a four-year, $24 million deal.
Andre Drummond, 32, 6.4
Drummond became the Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson replacement at center behind Towns, leaving the 76ers in free agency for a one-year deal worth $3.9 million.
Jordan Clarkson, 34, 8.6
The former Sixth Man of the Year winner proved he’s still capable of contributing, even if his role — and his stats — looks a little bit different than earlier in his career.
Jose Alvarado, 28, 6.6
A feisty backup point guard capable of providing a jolt off the bench, Alvarado extended his homecoming with a three-year deal last month.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 16: LeBron James speaks onstage during the TIME100 Sports Gala at Pier 60, Chelsea Piers on July 16, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for TIME) | Getty Images for TIME
LeBron James shocked the basketball world Friday by choosing the Philadelphia 76ers rather than the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers or Minnesota Timberwolves. As late at Thursday night, CBS Sports had put Philly at No. 5 among the five suitors but James saw them as the team best prepared for a championship run with holdovers Joel Emhiid, Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe as well as newcomers Jaylen Brown and Dean Wade.
For the Nets, there doesn’t seem to be any direct effect. They still rebuilding and the decision seems little more than a reshuffling of those above them in now increasingly top heavy East. In addition to James and Brown joining Philly, Giannis Antetokounmpo moved from Milwaukee to Miami and Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers back to the Toronto Raptors. Not to mention, the New York Knicks are the defending NBA champions. ESPN ranks the Nets at 29th in their post-LeBron power ranking, putting only the Bucks behind them.
It does seems likely that the 76ers pick in 2028, protected 1-through-8, will be transferred to Brooklyn, but it’s also likely to be very low. James contract is two years at the vets minimum with the second year, 2027-28, a player option.
Where things might be get interesting is what the spurned suitors do going forward. Do they try to fill in the blanks left open by James and try to acquire another big scorer like Michael Porter Jr., who’s looking for a big extension in Brooklyn. The question is whether Sean Marks and MPJ’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, can reach an agreement and if not, will Bartlelstein push to move Porter Jr. elsewhere.
Brooklyn also has all those draft assets should any of the suitors decide that without James, it’s time to rebuild. But the most likely repercussion revolves around Porter Jr. as Brian Lewis summarized.
Michael Porter Jr. believes in Brooklyn’s future.
The question is whether he’ll be a part of it.
Will the Nets extend him?
Or trade him?
MPJ has fully insinuated himself into the Nets rebuild. Averaging 24 points, seven rebounds and three assists last year, he also established himself as a premier shotmaker. More than that, though, he assumed the role of leader of the team, not just taking the Flatbush 5 under his wing, even hosting them at the Lake of the Ozarks in his native Missouri and at the very least acting like he’s recruiting Denver Nuggets free agent Peyton Watson to Brooklyn. Moreover, he’s said all the right things about the Nets’ future.
“We had five rookies, the youngest team in the NBA. It was a completely different role that I had. But it was something that I cherished,” Porter told ESPN at last weekend’s FanFest in New York. “I think we’re building something special over there.”
Last Wednesday in Las Vegas,Marks was clear in saying that the organization wants Porter around.
“I’m sure we’ll have those discussions. We’ve got time; there’s no immediate hurry right now with Mike. We value him a lot. He had a terrific year last year, arguably his best year as a pro,” Marks said. “It’s been great to see what Mike’s done for us, so I look forward to having those discussions…
“That would certainly be something we’re going to have that optionality,” said Marks. “Any time you’re in a hurry, that’s when people make mistakes. I don’t think we want to do anything hastily or in a rush … We’re just going to have those discussions between the two of us and our representatives and go from there.”
Bartelstein seemed more skeptical.
“Sean and I have talked. Michael loves it in Brooklyn. Jordi [Fernández] has been great for him. I think Jordi has been so innovative in how he’s used Michael. I think it’s a great fit,” Bartelstein said on SiriusXM NBA Radio.
“But that’s something that Sean and I have to sit down and talk about. The Nets have to ultimately chart out their course for the way they want to go forward. Obviously, we got to do the same thing for Michael. If we can make it work where there’s a long-term fit, that would be awesome. But that’s something we’re going to be talking about here in the days ahead.”
The 6’10” forward has been eligible since June 19 for a four-year, $234 million extension although most pundits think that a more reasonable deal could be at the same length but about $60 million less for the 28-year-old. Another possibility being bandied about is for the Nets to give Porter an immediate $9 million raise on his $40.8 million expiring salary then extend him at lower numbers, as they did with Nic Claxton and Cam Johnson. A deal like that would make him even more valuable at the trade deadline, as Lewis noted.
Suppose the two sides don’t reach an agreement and he goes on the trade market? What could the Nets get for MPJ? More draft picks? Better ones? And from who? Steve Kerr, Yahoo’s Kevin O’Connor wrote Thursday, wasn’t interested in Porter last year and is unlikely to want to change his mind now. The Pistons were also rumored as a suitor last season, but they’re all tied up with Jalen Duren’s free agency.
Also, it should be clear by now that the Nets are unlikely to make any big moves that will deprive them of future assets. They know they aren’t contenders. The plan is not the sixth or seventh seed. Win instead of tank, sure, but the LeBron move just reemphasizes where they sit. So they’d rather save assets, perhaps till the February deadline if not later. The rebuild is long. There’s no urgency.
There are other possibilities as well. The Nets still have around $12 million in cap space which they can use to give MPJ that raise or pay the yet unsigned Moe Wagner or sign him to the room exception. in extending MPJ. He’s eligible for it through next July when his current contract runs out. And there’s always surprises like LeBron James choosing Philly over South Beach.
Charles Barkley, a legendary 76er, believes LeBron James still has time to supplant Michael Jordan as basketball’s GOAT.
Barkley — who recently repaired his relationship with Jordan — has believed the Bulls icon has been the greatest of all time. But he now believes James has one final opportunity to change that conversation, but it will take a lot.
Barkley told Stephen A. Smith on Friday that if the 76ers win two titles in James’ two years in Philadelphia — that’s if he opts in to the second — after agreeing to a contract Friday, it would solidify his GOAT case.
Charles Barkley says LeBron James would have to win back to back championships to get the GOAT title:
“If he wins back to back championships and walks away this thing at 44, 45. I’ll say something I ain’t never said before. This dude I think I just saw the greatest basketball… https://t.co/Z9MA8kZD0Wpic.twitter.com/8Zzr9lkUHB
“If he wins back-to-back championships and walks away this thing at 44, 45. I’ll say something I ain’t never said before. This dude, I think I just saw the greatest basketball player ever,” Barkley told Smith.
Though Barkley did mention that James has provided himself advantages with “stacking the deck” throughout his career when joining talented teams.
“The number one knock on LeBron for older guys like myself has always been, ‘Yo, man, you always stacking your team,'” Barkley said. “He stacked in Miami. He stacked in Cleveland. He stacked in LA. Now he’s stacking it in Philly. So that to me, I’m going to still have the same criticism I’ve always had.”
LeBron James drives past OG Anunoby during the first quarter of the Knicks’ win over the Lakers at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 1, 2026. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
The comments came just hours after James officially announced he was signing with the 76ers on a two-year, $8 million contract, calling it the final decision of his Hall of Fame career.
Rather than retire after 23 NBA seasons, the four-time MVP chose one last championship pursuit with a franchise that has not won a title since 1983.
For Barkley, the significance goes beyond simply winning another ring.
James already owns four championships with three different organizations, capturing titles with the Heat, Cavaliers and Lakers, and winning a title with the 76ers would only add to his Hall of Fame resume.
Michael Jordan drives to the basket against the Seattle SuperSonics during the NBA Finals on Oct. 23, 1996 at the United Center in Chicago. NBAE via Getty Images
Philadelphia has assembled one of the NBA’s most talented rosters during a blockbuster offseason.
Guard V.J. Edgecombe also gives Philly another high-upside piece as the organization pushes all-in for a championship, fresh off Rookie of the Year contention.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 24: Jusuf Nurkic #30 of the Utah Jazz drives to the basket during the game against the Miami Heat on January 24, 2025 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Utah Jazz came out of the 2026 NBA Draft on the verge of a breakout season. All that was left for the Jazz was to re-sign Walker Kessler. It felt like it was an inevitability until the news that the Lakers agreed to give the Jazz every asset they had to bring Walker Kessler to LA. That left the Jazz with a question mark at center that they probably didn’t expect.
The question for the Jazz and Jazz fans became: what should they do about the center position? They signed Jusuf Nurkic to a two-year contract and signed Jaxson Hayes and Mo Bamba, but those don’t feel like long-term solutions. Knowing that they don’t have a long-term solution at center, do you make a trade now, or wait? Here’s what Jazz fans think:
So, according to a slight majority of Jazz fans, the Jazz should keep the center rotation the same. It does make sense. Jusuf Nurkic revitalized his career last season and played at a league-average level (according to Dunks and Threes). That 2-year, $22M contract is very affordable. The other thing to consider with this is that Utah isn’t desperate to make a move. They can wait until the right opportunity, at the right cost, comes up. Maybe that happens this season? Maybe they wait till the draft next year? Either way, they can wait to make a move.
According to FanDuel, they might not think Utah is going to make a move because they have Utah’s over/under of wins at 36.5. What do you think? Does Utah win more than 36.5 wins? Or would they need to upgrade at center to do that?
James spent the first 15 years of his career in the Eastern Conference, before spending the last eight years in the Western Conference with the Los Angeles Lakers.
While playing in the Eastern Conference, James created several key rivals, including the Boston Celtics.
James could make his debut in a 76ers uniform against the Celtics, with Philadelphia having a pair of preseason games scheduled against Boston.
The 76ers will play a preseason game in Boston against the Celtics on Saturday, Oct. 10. The Celtics will travel to Philadelphia for a game on Friday, Oct. 16.
James' status for the games at this point remains uncertain and it's worth nothing the games against the Celtics are the Sixers' only scheduled preseason contests at present. The Lakers have five preseason games on their docket, for point of comparison, so it's possible more Sixers preseason games could come into focus later this summer.
James did not participate in preseason games for the Los Angeles Lakers last season but did play games in 2024 alongside his son Bronny James.
The NBA's short preseason means there are limited opportunities for new players like James and Jaylen Brown to get familiar with teammates Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in a live game setting. If James does not play in the preseason, he will presumably make his Sixers debut in the regular season opener. An opponent and date for the 76ers’ first game have not been announced.
This time, the 76ers opted for a different type of process — and its effectiveness will directly impact the Knicks’ quest to repeat after snapping their 53-year drought.
This — the current roster assembled after LeBron James signed in Philadelphia on a two-year, $8 million deal with a player option Friday — is far from the draft-and-develop philosophy that Sam Hinkie once used more than a decade ago. Instead, new president of basketball operations Mike Gansey banked on an approach that requires microwaving chemistry, collecting superstars and hoping, in a small window, that a title follows.
If it works, that has the potential to make the Knicks’ path back to the NBA Finals complicated, too.
Because on paper, at least, the 76ers now resemble a significant obstacle. James has established himself as one of the greatest players in NBA history, winning titles with the Cavaliers, Heat and Lakers over a 23-year career. At 41 years old, and 42 on Dec. 30, he called this his “last decision” in a series of X posts Friday.
The 76ers also added former Celtics star Jaylen Brown — capable of being the primary scorer for an offense — in a blockbuster trade earlier this month, and they already had Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe on their roster, too.
New York Knicks guard Josh Hart defends against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James during the fourth quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers vs New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York, Sunday, February 1, 2026. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
Embiid, a former MVP who has been limited to 57 regular-season games the last two years because of injuries, can still be a primary scorer when healthy. He dropped 40 points against the Pelicans in a Jan. 31 game and recorded 30 or more points 14 times across 38 regular-season games in 2025-26. Maxey blossomed into a star at just 25 years old, and last year, with Embiid in and out of the lineup, averaged 21.4 shots per game.
And Edgecombe finished third in Rookie of the Year voting, flashed his potential against the Knicks during his first taste of the postseason in May and is seemingly set to start alongside this collection of established stars.
“I’m not going for money,” James wrote on X. “I’m not going for family. What am I really playing for at this point? I still want to sacrifice. I still want to work. I still want to grind. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship.
“I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time.”
This will be a finite window for the 76ers, but when the Knicks and 76ers meet for the first time next season, Philadelphia will be far from the same team that the Knicks swept in the second round of the 2026 playoffs. That 76ers group had Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr. in the starting lineup. That version had Quentin Grimes as a critical piece off the bench.
How will head coach Nick Nurse find ways to get everyone enough chances? Who will take the final shot in a tied playoff game? Is James content with ceding the spotlight, and some shots, to Philadelphia’s younger stars?
Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks plays defense during the game against Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers during Round Two Game Four of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 10, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NBAE via Getty Images
The Knicks, largely, will look the same — and that was by design. Their starting lineup of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart all meshed perfectly once the playoffs arrived and will enter with two full seasons worth of chemistry. Key reserves, from Landry Shamet and Jordan Clarkson to Jose Alvarado and Miles McBride, all returned, too. The only key piece lost was Mitchell Robinson, who signed with the Celtics after owner James Dolan demanded that the Knicks stay under the second apron.
Sure, there was the scenario where James could have returned to the Cavaliers and paired with Donovan Mitchell. Cleveland doesn’t have the same supporting cast, though, and folded against the Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals after a Game 1 collapse. Sure, there was a scenario where James could’ve returned to Miami, too, and paired with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. That might’ve been the worst-case outcome for the Knicks.
This one still could be a headache for Mike Brown’s team, too. Plenty of it depends on Embiid’s health. On James still having enough left with retirement front of mind. On all those other Eastern Conference contenders — the Heat, the Cavaliers, the Celtics with a healthy Jayson Tatum, the Pacers with a healthy Tyrese Haliburton, the Pistons and the up-and-coming Magic — finding some way to fade.
With one announcement late Friday morning, the 76ers might have become the Knicks’ most difficult roadblock. Emphasis on might.
Jan 11, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) controls the ball against Denver Nuggets guard Peyton Watson (8) as forward Zeke Nnaji (22) defends in the fourth quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Peyton Watson remains an unsigned restricted free agent. The Milwaukee Bucks remain in need of a defensive stopper on the wing. And with news that the Bucks have been linked to Watson, exploring avenues for them to acquire Watson was a natural progression.
Of course, as noted, gaining Watson’s services wouldn’t be easy. For one, the Denver Nuggets’ cap situation is, well, complicated. But the Bucks have ways to get around this, namely through their replenished stock of draft capital and the $25.5m trade exception created in the Giannis trade, which is around the mark that Watson appears to be after.
“Peyton Watson and his camp want something in that $28 million north range and the offers so far have been fluctuating between that $20-24 million per year range… When you’re Peyton Watson, you want more than Christian Braun.”
However, with the Nuggets looking to compete behind arguably the best player in the league, Nikola Jokic, logic would have it that acquiring a ready-made player on a team-friendly contract would be a better option. Thus, we gauged your interest on a potential Ryan Rollins for Peyton Watson sign-and-trade. The majority of fans (57%) said no, with 30% hanging up the phone and 27% tempted but ultimately unconvinced.
As always, there was wisdom behind the rejections.
naveed2000s: I want Watson, but I’d toss multiple future picks at him before I’d toss in Rollins, personally. This era is about getting good young players and building with them. We know Rollins is good, whether he’s peaked or not. Let’s not get crazy in the first offseason of doing this.
Pono: Why would you trade the most rapidly improving player in the league, a guy who wants to be in Milwaukee and has the versatility to adjust his role as the rebuild takes shape? Can’t we just have nice things? Plus, Rollins will be in line for a big contract in ‘27 that Denver cannot afford so he has little value to them as a 1 year rental.
Although the majority of fans disagreed with a Rollins for Watson swap, 43% thought it made sense. They had their reasons too.
Mitchell Maurer: Peyton Watson . . . is a big, young wing who can both score and defend, and is only available because he’s a strain on Denver’s cap sheet. Players like Watson are always in demand and always hard to acquire as a result, so why wouldn’t the Bucks entertain the prospect?
Nicknackpattywack: Joker was out a total of 15 games last season. Watson averaged 22.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. He also shot 50.5% from the field and 45.7% from three-point range during those stretches.
In all, it seems Rollins is safe—at least as far as fans are concerned. But what does the Bucks’ brass think? Now that LeBron James has finally made his decision, perhaps free agency will ramp back up again and we’ll get an answer on Watson too.
Check out FanDuel, the official sportsbook of SB Nation.
But a week before, he was apparently on the campaign trail in his attempt to lay the groundwork in his hopes of getting the future Hall of Famer to choose the 76ers.
LeBron James reacts on the court during the Knicks’ win over the Lakers on Feb. 1, 2026 at the Garden. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
James went up to the former president and secretary of state before Shapiro, an avid sports fan, chimed in and made his pitch to get the 22-time All-Star to the 76ers, Puck reported.
Whether or not that moment last week made a difference is unclear, but James agreed to a two-year, $8 million contract with Philadelphia to make the 76ers one of the Eastern Conference’s most formidable teams.
Shortly after the news broke Friday morning, the Democratic head of Pennsylvania took to social media to celebrate and declare July 24 as LeBron James Day.
“LEBRON IS COMING TO PHILLY,” Shapiro wrote on X. “By the power vested in the me as the Governor of the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a die-hard Sixers fan… I hereby proclaim today to be LEBRON JAMES DAY. Welcome to the City of Brotherly Love, @KingJames.”
James, in his own thread on X, said this decision had nothing to do with money.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks before President Donald Trump arrives at the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pa., during the Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit on July 15, 2026. AP Photo/Matt Rourke
The deal with the 76ers — choosing them over rumored contenders, including the Heat and the Warriors — was all about putting him in the best position to win another NBA title.
“I still want to sacrifice. I still want to work. I still want to grind. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship,” James wrote. “I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time.”
The 76ers last won an NBA championship in 1983, so if James can get them over the hump, there could be another celebration in his honor in another 11 months.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 11: James Harden #1 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate a basket against the Detroit Pistons during the first quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Rocket Arena on May 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For the third time in his illustrious career, LeBron James ripped the hearts out of Cleveland Cavaliers fans everywhere. This time is undoubtedly worse than in 2018 when he left for Los Angeles, which seemed expected. But James was saying and doing the things one would expect of someone making their way back to where it all began, a sentimental return to make even the coldest NBA hearts melt just a little.
[Insert fart noise here]
The Cavs waited patiently, or maybe impatiently behind the scenes, for James to decide what to do with his NBA career. They watched Dean Wade, a stout wing defender, leave for the Philadelphia 76ers (an omen of things to come, apparently). Keon Ellis, whom many around the league thought was a sneaky-good get last year, went to the Brooklyn Nets. Cleveland has not signed or traded for anyone new, with their only acquisitions being a second-round draft pick. James Harden is still a free agent, and the Cavs have the inside track on re-signing him.
But the thunderous collapse of plaster and concrete around them is LeBron James with the rejection, signing with the Sixers on a deal similar in length and dollar amount to De’Andre Jordan. It was a catastrophic blow to the Cavs’ otherwise silent offseason.
Now the pivot is on, and the options are bleak.
Jonathan Kuminga is a perennial “what-if” prospect who has clashed with coaches and had trouble staying healthy, but he would certainly help. Max Strus and Dennis Schroder are reportedly still available via trade, though the Cavs may have to keep them now. There are trades out there, there always are, but the NBA’s business for the summer is mostly done. The Cavs gambled that they were getting James, and bet wrong.
Normally, a team that makes the Conference Finals running it back is fine. But these Cavs are not fine, nor were they dispatched in a way that makes you think they are close to the NBA Finals. In fact, they may not be a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference. The star power in the starting lineup will win them a lot of games, but their ceiling is certainly capped come playoff time, barring a dramatic acquisition or internal improvement from Evan Mobley.
Meanwhile, James’ Sixers move to the top of the conference. The New York Knicks just won a championship. The Boston Celtics still have Jayson Tatum and find ways to win games. The Toronto Raptors are still probably getting Kawhi Leonard. Down in South Beach, Giannis Antetokounmpo is motivated with a better roster around him. We haven’t even gotten to the Detroit Pistons — who were the top seed in the East last year — or the Atlanta Hawks —who won more games against the Knicks in the playoffs last season than anyone else.
The Cavs have the talent to be a top-three seed in the East, if everything goes according to plan. They are also teetering toward being unequivocally broken, gutted at losing out on a player they desperately needed not only on the court but in the locker room. The players certainly will not admit that, but this is a team that now needs to do the one thing that has been terrible at for years: overcoming adversity.
Blowing up teams is not as lucrative as it used to be. The Cavs cannot simply hit the eject button and wind up with a ton of first-round picks and young prospects for their top-end players. Jaylen Brown, an NBA Finals MVP and MVP candidate last season, was traded for the decaying corpse of Paul George and some subpar first-round picks. This is a different landscape for transactions.
If you want something positive, the Cavs have locked up Donovan Mitchell for the long-haul with a contract extension. He is their bona fide star, the 1A to lean on and build around. Mobley is still young. Jarrett Allen is a bargain for what his contract is. Jaylon Tyson has some promise. Their cap sheet is a little cleaner than it was a few months ago. Cleveland should be a playoff team, but they have missed a lot of “shoulds” over the last few years. That heartburn still persists.
The Cavs probably thought they “should” have landed James. Their offseason of inaction lends me to believe that they expected a better outcome, clearing the deck for the return of the King. Now they have to pick up the pieces and move on, pushing forward in a way they have never had to do before. This is the type of motivation that should be the kindling to stoke their internal fires, hitting that extra gear to prove to themselves that they didn’t need James and the circus to come to town.
Let’s hope they don’t miss that “should” next season.
That’s what LeBron James’ agent and business partner, Rich Paul, said in the aftermath of the arguably greatest basketball player of all time joining the 76ers on Friday.
Schefter, a longtime NFL insider who has dabbled in NBA reporting over the years, said to 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia earlier this week that James was likely heading to Miami, where he played from 2010 through 2014, winning two championships.
“My guess would be where there’s smoke there’s fire,” Schefter said on the program. “I got a text, literally, I could go back to the date. I think it was June 30th, and said, ‘Just be ready for LeBron to go to Miami.'”
Rich Paul on Adam Schefter saying he heard LeBron was going to Miami:
"All the speculation was so far left. I felt bad for my guy Adam Schefter; somebody sold him a lemon."
Schefter added, “That was the text I got way back when, first day. And we’ll see if it holds up and it turns out to be true.”
Well, it wasn’t.
Paul recorded a Friday episode for his show “Game Over” on The Ringer, which is also co-hosted by Max Kellerman.
“All the speculation, as you could see, was so far left,” Paul noted on the show, while acknowledging how much fun the process was. “I felt bad for my guy Adam Schefter; somebody sold him a lemon.
Adam Schefter is pictured in November 2025. Getty Images
“It’s just one of those things.”
James agreed to a two-year deal worth $8 million Friday, with the second year being a player option as the future Hall of Famer will maintain flexibility following this season.
James joins a starting five that will likely include former NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, two-time All-Star Tyrese Maxey, former league MVP Joel Embiid and Rookie of the Year finalist VJ Edgecombe.
LeBron James is hugged by Rich Paul on February 7, 2023, after becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. NBAE via Getty Images
Paul, via Klutch Sports, also represents Maxey.
The 76ers have already been joined Knicks territory as far as being Eastern Conference championship favorites across the sportsbooks.
However, both teams trail the Thunder and Spurs as the title favorites heading into next season.
James is expected to sign a two-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers and play alongside Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in an effort to win the 76ers' first NBA championship since 1983, when the roster included Moses Malone, Julius Erving and Maurice Cheeks.
The 76ers swept Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers in four straight games that year.
Here's what we know about James' first potential press conference in Philadelphia:
It remains unclear if LeBron James will have an official introductory press conference with the 76ers.
James did not have an introductory press conference with the Lakers when he joined the team in 2018. He did not speak to the media in Los Angeles until media day.
The four-time MVP has not participated in an introductory press conference since deciding to join Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade as a member of the Miami Heat in 2010.
“There’s not going to be an introductory press conference,” said ESPN’s Brian Windhorst during the July 23 episode of “First Take.” “You don’t have to get it ready. After ‘not 5, not 6, not 7’ LeBron is done with introductory press conferences. … If he does one, it’ll be on his platforms and not an open thing that you’re gonna have.”
Miami’s social media team accidentally published a scheduled YouTube livestream titled "LeBron James Introductory Press Conference." It was later deleted from the platform.
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 26: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards in the first half at Capital One Arena on April 26, 2021 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The LeBron James sweepstakes have concluded. On Friday morning, the NBA’s all-time scoring leader and 22-time All-Star announced that his next — and almost certainly last — chapter will take place on the East Coast, where he’ll team with Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, V.J. Edgecombe, and the Philadelphia 76ers.
It’s no secret that the Golden State Warriors were holding out hope that James would join his close friend (Draymond Green), a superstar he reveres (Steph Curry), and a coach he deeply respects (Steve Kerr). It never seemed like a very likely option, but it was one worth chasing. In the end, however, he chose elsewhere, leaving the Warriors scrambling to fill out their roster.
In the time between James announcing his plans to leave the Los Angeles Lakers and choosing a new team, the vast majority of the league’s free agents signed elsewhere, leaving limited options for the Dubs. They have to add at least one more player (in addition to re-signing Green, who opted out to provide the team extra fiscal flexibility as they chased James).
So who might that be? Here are some of the best options.
DeMar DeRozan
My guess is that, with James off the board, DeRozan has moved to the top of the board for the Warriors. On the one hand, he’s not a great fit with Golden State: he doesn’t shoot threes, he’s not exactly known for his ball movement, he’s not the biggest fan of defense, and he’s firmly and loudly on the opposite side as Curry in the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar beef (DeRozan, I should add, is on the right side).
On the other hand, he might be just what the Warriors need, especially with Jimmy Butler III out. DeRozan is still a certified bucket getter. Even in a down year last season, he still averaged 18.4 points per game and shot nearly 50% from the field. He’s exactly what the Warriors need when Curry is on the bench or taking a night off: the type of player you can give the ball to, clear out, and ask him to go get a bucket. He has the aggressive mentality that has helped Butler shine on the Warriors, and draws free throws at a high rate.
For all their flaws last year, the Warriors biggest issue was simply that they didn’t have enough people who can get a bucket. DeRozan, who will be affordable after being bought out by the Sacramento Kings, can help fix that.
Bradley Beal
As a pure basketball player, Beal fits better than DeRozan. While also an isolation scorer, his style is catered to what the Warriors do more than DDR’s. He’s a career 37.6% shooter from deep, including 40.7% in his last two healthy seasons. But he’s a worse fit on the Warriors for the simple reason that he’s even less interested in defense than DeRozan, and has played 202 games over the last five seasons, compared to 383 for DeRozan. If the Warriors are going to stick with older veterans, they’d be smart to go for durable ones, and DeRozan is a remarkably durable player. But if he’s off the board, Beal has a lot of skills that would fit.
Lonzo Ball
The Warriors were tied to Ball at the buyout deadline last year, before ultimately going in a different direction. I’ll say this much: they can’t just get Ball. He’s one of the most injury-prone players in the NBA: he played 35 games last year, 35 games the year before, and 35 games three years prior, with two missed seasons in between. 105 games over five years is not what an aging and injure Warriors team needs.
They can’t rely on Ball, but they sure can take a flyer on him. Ball’s favorite things are moving the rock quickly, and playing defense. And despite the ugly aesthetics of it, his three-point shot is fairly reliable. Is it any surprise that Kerr wants him on his team?
Chris Boucher
Reunion, anyone? Boucher began his career on the Warriors, logging exactly one minute in the 2017-18 championship season. He then went on to have a very successful career with the Toronto Raptors, which included beating the Warriors in the NBA Finals the next year.
Things changed this year, as he signed with the Boston Celtics, struggled with performance and injuries, played just nine games, was traded to the Utah Jazz, and was waived. But just two years ago he averaged 21.0 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per 36 minutes, and he plays solid defense. He’s the type of big man who could play alongside any of Golden State’s frontcourt players.
Amir Coffey
Want a flyer? Here’s your guy. Coffey has been pretty darn bad for a few years, but he’s a career 38.2% shooter from deep with good size and athleticism. The Warriors could use more large wings while they await the return of Butler and Moses Moody. Here’s one … he just needs work.
Kevin Love
Sorry, are Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis not filling your need for aging, often-injured, floor-stretching bigs? Then how about Love? Somehow he’s still playing, and somehow he’s also still playing well. He shot 37.3% on threes last year and grabbed 12.6 rebounds per 36 minutes. He can still throw a mean outlet pass, and is a great playmaker from the elbow, which the Warriors really utilized when Andrew Bogut was around. Plus, between he and Horford, it’s basically like having one healthy, reliable player!
Bennedict Mathurin
Mathurin doesn’t have the resumé or consistency of DeRozan or Beal, but the dude can get on a heater and score. He’s not the best shooter, but he can get to the rim, he draws free throws, and he’s a reliable 15 points every night. The Warriors need that in some form and fashion, especially until Butler returns. Golden State would be a great landing spot for Mathurin, where he could rebuild his value a little bit before entering free agency again next year.
Gary Payton II
Look, getting the entire band back together isn’t the best idea, but Payton does fit well in the Warriors system. He’s an elite perimeter defender, can bother forwards, rebounds like someone a foot taller than he is, and is a tremendous off-ball cutter. The Warriors need to make some improvements, but Payton is better than a lot of the players on this list.
Mario Hezonja
The Dubs have been tied to Hezonja, who hasn’t played in the NBA since 2019-20. He’s been playing overseas since then, and has been phenomenal for Real Madrid, with a whole lot of hardware being handed out in his direction. How will that translate back to the NBA? We may soon find out.
The 33-year-old Caldwell-Pope has won NBA championships on the 2019-20 Lakers (with James) and on the 2022-23 Nuggets. He’s a 6-foot-5 shooting guard with a longstanding 3-and-D reputation who averaged 8.4 points, 2.7 assists and 2.5 rebounds for Memphis last year in 21.3 minutes per game. Caldwell-Pope’s 31.6 percent mark from three-point range was his worst since the 2015-16 season.
He underwent season-ending surgery in February to address a right pinkie finger injury. The Grizzlies said at the time that Caldwell-Pope was expected to fully recover and be available for the start of the 2026-27 season.
James and Jaylen Brown have been the Sixers’ summer headliners, but president of basketball operations Mike Gansey has also picked up a variety of role players like forward Dean Wade, combo guard Anfernee Simons and center Ariel Hukporti. The latest is reportedly a familiar face for James.
Of the final four suitors in the free agent sweepstakes, Cleveland and Miami seemed like the most probable landing spots for James. But the NBA’s all-time leading scorer shocked just about everyone with his two-year, $8 million deal with the 76ers.
Several former and current NBA stars reacted to the biggest NBA news of the summer.
Chris Bosh, a former championship teammate, was just as shocked as everyone else to learn of James’ final decision.
“I didn’t see this one coming.”
Chris Bosh, who is LeBron James former Miami Heat teammate, reacts to LeBron James joining the Philadelphia 76ers and says the 76ers are the instant title favorites.
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) July 24, 2026
“Man, I didn’t see this one coming,” Bosh said in a video posted to his Instagram.
“I didn’t think he was gonna go to Philly, the weather and being cold. I was joking around that the old folks go to Miami and stuff like that. I guess not. The old guys still compete for championships, that’s what it’s about.
“This team is loaded. It was already pretty loaded. Now, I think this takes the Sixers overtop, not only as the favorites to win the NBA championship for next year but maybe for the next couple of years.”
On the Cousins podcast, Vince Carter didn’t mince words about James going to Philadelphia.
“That’s cheating,” Carter said jokingly, “because he doesn’t have to do much and still be him. Now your fifth starter has to guard one of those guys.”
Former Lakers teammate Danny Green was also stunned to hear James chose to sign a deal with the 76ers.
“I was like this can’t be real news, Shams is somebody hacking you, this can’t be real news, you know what I’m saying? Two-years, $8 million to Philly none of that was in the cards for me. So, yeah it was shocking, just as shocking as the Jaylen Brown news probably for me.”
There was also an unnamed former Lakers teammate of the 41-year-old, who told The Athletic he recalled James discussing how seriously he considered signing with the 76ers in 2018 before joining the Lakers.
NBA legend Charles Barkley has been vocal about his opinion on LeBron James. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Even Charles Barkley didn’t hold back in his reaction to James’ decision, going as far to say the four-time NBA champion stacks his team.
“The number one knock on LeBron for older guys like myself has always been, yo, man, you always stacking your team. He stacked it in Miami. He stacked it in Cleveland. He stacked it in LA. Now he’s stacking it in Philly. So that to me, I’m going to still have the same criticism I’ve always had,” Barkley said on The Stephen A. Smith Show.
Charles Barkley says LeBron James always stacks his team after going to Philly:
“The number one knock on LeBron for older guys like myself has always been, “Yo, man, you always stacking your team.” He stacked in Miami. He stacked in Cleveland. He stacked in LA. Now he’s stacking… pic.twitter.com/GCdBamMEdl
Other athletes also weighed in on James heading east, especially those playing in Philadelphia.
Eagles star Saquon Barkley welcomed the NBA superstar via social media: “Welcome to the city? Let me know when you tryna tee it up @KingJames. “
Phillies star Bryce Harper, who made a free agency pitch to James last week, heaped high praise for the city and the imminent arrival of James.
“It’s obviously a great city to come play in, fanbase-wise, sports-wise. Feel like the city is in a really good spot with all the teams right now. Just a really good spot to be in,” Harper said.
Bryce Harper on LeBron James
The Phillies star says he’s not surprised LeBron James picked Philly and Sixers pic.twitter.com/yd0ZR3QfID
Despite being the oldest active player in the NBA, James’ influence evidently spreads far and wide. Now, he’ll take his talents to the City of Brotherly Love.
Chris Bosh/IG) 