RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. 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."
"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.
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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