The NBA's leading career scorer, LeBron James , told the Los Angeles Lakers on June 30 that he would be playing elsewhere next season . In nearly a month since announcing his free agency, James has been linked to the Golden State Warriors , Miami Heat , Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers .
James made what he says is his final decision on Friday, deciding to join the 76ers . It is the Sixers' second big addition of the summer , after sending Paul George and a haul of picks to the Boston Celtics for Jaylen Brown .
How will James and Brown fit alongside Joel Embiid , Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe ? And what does this mean for teams like the Warriors who didn't land the biggest free agent of the offseason?
Our NBA insiders answer the biggest questions about James' decision. Why did James sign with the Sixers?
A source familiar with James' thinking told ESPN that James' choice hinged on the pursuit of a fifth championship. After weighing his options, he landed on Philadelphia as the best situation for that.
Bob Myers, the president of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Sixers, made that appeal as a guest on Rich Paul's "Game Over" podcast during the courtship process. "If he was here, I'd say, 'I honestly believe this is your best chance to win,'" Myers said.
Myers' interest was followed by Maxey, Brown and Embiid campaigning together to sell the 41-year-old star on Philly, sources told ESPN, maintaining contact through the three-week process with a steady stream of texts and phone calls. The fact that James could live in New York City and commute to Camden for practices and Philadelphia for games, as ESPN's Shams Charania reported is a possibility, only added to the appeal.
Paul said earlier this month that had the New York Knicks not won the championship in June, it would have been an easy choice for James to go to New York. Going to the Sixers could allow him to still live in NYC and, if he accomplishes his goal, win a title for a fanbase that's waited decades to see their team hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
-- Dave McMenamin What will James' role be with the Sixers? Any concerns about the fit with Jaylen Brown?
If everyone is healthy, the 76ers will have the most potent offense in the league. Edgecombe showed in his rookie season that he could be a primary option after the All-Star break.
James can be best used as a master facilitator for their offense, and Brown and Maxey can play downhill aggressively. In small sample sizes, James showed in Los Angeles he can take a backseat as a primary scoring option behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves .
Brown certainly enjoyed life as a No. 1 option last season while Jayson Tatum rehabbed an Achilles tear , so there were questions about the total hierarchy in Philadelphia even before James' arrival -- Brown was second in the NBA in usage while Maxey was 15th.
All players will have to make sacrifices to start. How Embiid fits with James is also a big question, having played 57 games the last two years with various injuries.
When they go small, the 76ers have athleticism and speed on the wings, and they can be dynamic on the break with James, who led the league in fast-break points last season and could be their greatest strength. -- Vincent Goodwill How good should we expect this star-laden Sixers team to be?
The 76ers haven't reached the Eastern Conference finals since 2001, but this group has a championship ceiling. Philadelphia's new front office has collected an impressive amount of talent: James, Embiid, Brown and Maxey are All-NBA caliber players when healthy, and Edgecombe looked like a future All-Star during his rookie campaign.
On paper, Philadelphia has everything necessary for a title: a massive front line, a well-balanced backcourt, multiple playmakers, championship experience and a solid second unit featuring Anfernee Simons and Dean Wade . Of course, James's age and Embiid's health are major variables that could prevent the 76ers from reaching their full potential.
There will also be serious fit questions: To keep all of Philadelphia's proven scorers satisfied, Nick Nurse should cast James in a pass-first role. While James never seemed fully satisfied as a third option for the Lakers, perhaps the 76ers can use him as a cerebral point forward just like USA Basketball did during the Paris Olympics.
Aside from health, Philadelphia's biggest hang-up could be its defensive versatility because James and Embiid don't cover ground like they did d