Once again the basketball world had to wait on the great Lebron James to make a decision about where he would play next season. James ended an 8 year run with the LA Lakers which resulted in one NBA title in 2020. Multiple teams were in on the Lebron sweepstakes such as the Warriors, and few of his former teams such as the Heat along with the Cavaliers. Finally Lebron calls it the last decision for his record breaking 24th season in the NBA. He will be taking his talents to Rocky Town and has signed a two year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. It was not for the money as the King gets a two year deal worth only 8 million & he made close to 53 million in his last year with the Lakers. Lebron will be trying to get his 5th NBA ring while helping the 76ers break a 43 year drought since their last title.
The last time the Philadelphia 76ers won the title you have to go back to 1983. Since that title, the 76ers have made the conference finals twice which the last one was in 2019 where the Toronto Raptors knocked out Philadelphia in a game 7. The NBA just saw the New York Knicks break a 53 year drought when they beat the San Antonio Spurs several weeks ago. Over the last several years we have seen different teams snap championship droughts. In 2019 the Raptors won their first NBA title. In 2021 the Milwaukee Bucks won their second title and snapped their drought of decades without a championship. In 2023 the Denver Nuggets won their first title ever. In 2025 the Oklahoma Thunder captured their first ever title. The city of Brotherly Love has seen their Eagles win two NFL Superbowls in 2018 and 2025. The Phillies won the World Series back in 2008. The Flyers, like the 76ers, have been in a drought from their last Stanley Cup title which was back in 1975.
Is Lebron James the golden goose the 76ers need to put them over the top? Last year the 76ers had a 45-37 regular season record and made it to the second round of the NBA post-season. The 76ers were swept by the next champions, the Knicks, that ended their season. Lebron James has won at least 1 championship for each franchise he has played for. The Lakers was in 2020. He helped the Cleveland Cavaliers capture their first title in his second stint with the organization. Then when he took his talents to South Beach, he helped the Miami Heat net two championships. James has been to 10 NBA finals and is 4-6 in those championship series. Lebron averaged 20.9 points a game last year. He played in 60 games in his final season as a Laker. He averaged 6.1 rebounds per game while dishing out 7.2 assists per game. He is still a very productive player, but he knew he had to bring his price down if he wanted a chance to get a 5th ring with somebody. Lebron has all the records and is decorated like a few Generals with the hardware he has earned playing in the NBA.
The Lebron James signing is a big move by the Philadelphia 76ers, but it was not their biggest off-season move. The 76ers acquired Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics. With Celtics star Jayson Tatum out most of the season last year, it was Brown that stepped up and had Boston landing the number two seed in the Eastern conference. Brown had his best season of his career and finished in the top 6 of the MVP voting. The 76ers also have two other talented names to throw at you in Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. The eastern conference is wide open. Boston becomes weaker. Will the Heat rise with the trade landing the former Milwaukee Buck, Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Cavaliers with Donovan Mitchell have been a threat the last few seasons. Both the Heat and Cavaliers would be sitting pretty if the last decision involved James picking them. The Knicks will also be a threat looking to defend their magical run from last year. Once again James has weaseled himself into a great situation. In James’ head, he may not be a zombie but certainly could be Michael Jordan’s six pack of rings. That may be the only thing fueling the King after he crossed off playing with his son last year with the Lakers. If James struggles and falls flat on his face, the Philly fans will let his last decision be regretful.
