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By Megan Armstrong
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This spring, 41-year-old LeBron James led the Los Angeles Lakers past the Houston Rockets in the first-round of the NBA playoffs. The best thing to come out of the series was a new LeBron James meme unlocked by this exchange with Alperen Sengun. The second-best thing, according to Rich Paul, is James' decision to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers.
"That series, in my opinion, that series—" Paul began to say before his "Game Over" co-host Max Kellerman finished his sentence: "Convinced him to keep playing?"
"Yeah," Paul said. "I truly believe that."
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"I think if they somehow get swept or lose 4-1 in that series, it could be different," Paul, James' longtime agent and confidant, added. "I think that gave us — and I'm so glad because I think it gave us another ride."
The Lakers were subsequently swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder, ending James' eight-year tenure in Los Angeles.
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Last Friday, July 24, James announced his decision — "my last decision" — to sign with the 76ers in free agency by way of a lengthy message posted to X. ESPN's Shams Charania reported that James signed a two-year, $8 million contract, including a player option.
"I thought I was done when the season ended," the four-time NBA MVP and four-time NBA champion wrote. "I wasn't ready to announce it, and I knew I needed some time to really decide, but I was pretty sure I played my last game. I was honest at that last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and deicide if I still love this game. I still truly love this game, and I have more to give."
Paul would know better than anybody not named LeBron James whether winning the Rockets series convinced him to return for an NBA-record 24th season. But it stands to reason that the Boston Celtics trading Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia on July 1 convinced James to play for the Sixers, specifically.
On X, James disclosed that, after much consideration, he believes he "can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team."
If he's correct and leads the Sixers to their first championship since 1983, James will instantly become a Philly legend and, more significant to his GOAT case, will become the first player to win four championships with four different franchises.
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