RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 6 sourcesThe LeBron James era in Philadelphia is underway, as the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday officially announced their signing of the four-time NBA MVP.
James’ New York City era — at least a non-basketball version of it — might not be too far behind.
Days after ESPN’s Shams Charania reported James might live in New York or New Jersey and commute via helicopter, fellow insider Brian Windhorst said Monday that it “seems like [James is] going to live at least part-time in New York.”
“When LeBron emerged from this decision-making cocoon that he was in, he had an interest in living in New York City,” Windhorst said on ESPN’s “Get Up.”
“For 15 years, the New York Knicks dreamed of LeBron coming to that conclusion. And it was the Knicks, actually, at this time, as the defending champions, who were not interested in LeBron.”
Before James reached a two-year, $8 million contract with the 76ers, his agent, Rich Paul, said the Knicks would have been the destination had they not just won the NBA championship.
Throughout his career, James has spoken glowingly about Madison Square Garden. The Knicks famously pursued James aggressively during the 2010 offseason, only for him to choose the Miami Heat instead.
That wasn’t the case during James’ free agency this summer.
“Rich Paul said that there were 20-something teams that reached out,” Windhorst said Monday. “The Knicks were not one of them. Rich Paul called his old boss, [Knicks president] Leon Rose, and asked about the interest. They had a cordial conversation, and that’s where it ended.”
The Knicks thrived on continuity and chemistry during their run to the franchise’s first NBA championship in 53 years. Next season, they are set to defend their title with most of the same players, including the entire starting lineup.
Their biggest threat in the Eastern Conference might now be the Sixers, who are pairing James, 41, with a star-powered roster also headlined by Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe and another splashy offseason addition in Jaylen Brown.
James is set to wear No. 23 with Philadelphia, which hasn’t won a championship since 1983. James seeks his fifth title with his fourth organization, having previously led the Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers to championships.
“There is no doubt LeBron is one of the greatest players to ever play the game of basketball and there are no words to measure the impact he’ll have on this organization,” Mike Gansey, the Sixers’ president of basketball operations, said in a statement.
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