LeBron 76ers contract puts Philly all-in on a title chase

LeBron James is headed to Philadelphia, with ESPN reporting that the LeBron 76ers contract is a two-year, $8 million deal for the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.

James told the Los Angeles Lakers on June 30 that he planned to play for another team next season, according to ESPN. After nearly a month of free agency chatter involving the Warriors, Heat, Cavaliers and 76ers, James chose Philadelphia on Friday in what he described as his final decision, ESPN reported.

The move gives the Sixers another headline grabber in a summer already defined by their trade for Jaylen Brown. ESPN reported that Philadelphia sent Paul George and multiple draft picks to Boston to get Brown before adding James to a core that also includes Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.

Why did LeBron James choose the 76ers?

A source familiar with James’ thinking told ESPN that the decision centered on his pursuit of a fifth NBA championship. Philadelphia, in that view, gave him the best chance among the options he considered.

ESPN reported that Bob Myers, the president of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Sixers, publicly made the winning pitch during an appearance on Rich Paul’s “Game Over” podcast. ESPN also reported that Maxey, Brown and Embiid stayed in touch with James during the process through texts and calls as part of the Sixers’ recruiting effort.

Location also helped, according to ESPN. Shams Charania reported that James could live in New York City while commuting to Camden for practice and Philadelphia for games. ESPN also noted that Paul said earlier this month that if the Knicks had not won the championship in June, New York would have been an easy choice for James.

How could LeBron fit with Philadelphia?

ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill wrote that Philadelphia’s offense could be the league’s most dangerous if the main pieces stay healthy. In that setup, James could be used as a primary passer, while Brown and Maxey attack the rim and Edgecombe builds on a rookie season in which ESPN said he showed he could handle a major scoring role after the All-Star break.

The fit will require adjustment. ESPN noted that Brown ranked second in the NBA in usage last season, while Maxey was 15th. Goodwill wrote that the Sixers’ stars will have to give up touches early as the team settles its pecking order.

Embiid’s health remains a key part of the picture. ESPN reported that he has played 57 games over the past two seasons because of various injuries. Ben Golliver wrote that James’ age and Embiid’s availability are the biggest variables for a team with a championship ceiling.

What does the deal do to the Sixers’ books?

ESPN’s Bobby Marks reported that Philadelphia could offer James only the veteran minimum exception, giving him a $3.9 million salary next season. Marks noted that the salary equals 2.35% of the cap.

Because the contract is for multiple years, Marks reported that the Sixers do not receive the same cap relief they would have received on a one-year deal. ESPN reported that Philadelphia will need to waive a non-guaranteed player such as Jabari Walker or Dalen Terry, or make a minor trade, to fit James below the first apron.

Marks also reported that the Sixers are hard-capped because they signed Dean Wade for more than $6.1 million of the non-tax mid-level exception.

Who misses out now?

ESPN reported that James’ decision sends other teams back to their own plans. The Cavaliers can turn their focus to James Harden, the Warriors can work on a new deal with Draymond Green, and the Heat still need a playmaker next to Giannis Antetokounmpo, according to ESPN’s analysis.

Anthony Slater wrote for ESPN that Golden State faced a harder pitch because Jimmy Butler III is recovering from an ACL tear, the Warriors won 37 games last season, and the Western Conference includes Oklahoma City and San Antonio as major obstacles. ESPN reported that the Warriors believed for weeks that James was leaning elsewhere.

This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.