LeBron James has joined the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $8 million deal that includes a player option, ESPN's Shams Charania reported Friday.
While the 76ers were always in the running, it seemed as though they were behind the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and potentially even the Golden State Warriors in the sweepstakes. Ultimately, James prioritized Philadelphia as he believed it gave him the best chance to win a fifth ring.
"This is my last decision," he said on X. "I'm not going for money. I'm not going for family. What am I really playing for at this point? I still want to sacrifice. I still want to work. I still want to grind. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship."
The 76ers could now be the favorites in the East
While James' decision likely doesn't put the 76ers ahead of the San Antonio Spurs or Oklahoma City Thunder at this point in his career, it does make Philadelphia a serious contender.
They have arguably one of the best starting fives in the league between Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, James, and Joel Embiid. That alone could be enough to make them the new favorites in the East over the defending champion New York Knicks.
Two question marks looming over this roster are now the health of Embiid, who played 38 games last season, and depth. In terms of the latter, one signing who will significantly help in that department is former Portland Trail Blazer Anfernee Simons.
With how active Philadelphia has been this offseason, Simons was somewhat of an under-the-radar signing who could be a major difference-maker coming off the bench. It's also incredible value, securing him to a two-year, $12.3 million deal that includes a player option.
Between James and Simons, Philadelphia is paying a total of $20 million over the next two seasons! That type of financial sacrifice will go a long way towards winning a ring, especially under the second apron restrictions of the new CBA.
Anfernee Simons finally has a chance to contend
Besides the team-friendly deals, another thing James and Simons have in common is the desire to win. Both have made it clear that winning and basketball fit were the primary factors behind their respective decisions to sign with Philadelphia.
In fact, Simons has made it apparent that he wants the "opportunity to win" ever since his time in Portland. At one point, he was the longest-tenured Blazer, and the ups and downs of winning with Damian Lillard, only to be part of a long rebuild, admittedly took a toll on him.
With former top ten picks Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe expected to be the backcourt of the future, a Simons departure seemed inevitable. He initially found a good landing spot with the Boston Celtics in the one-for-one swap with Jrue Holiday.
Unfortunately for Simons, that was a financially driven trade, making him a trade candidate in Boston. His brief stint with the Chicago Bulls must have been rough, assuming that all he's ever wanted to do was win.
But this summer he had control over his own future. And with James deciding to join Philadelphia, it Simons' bet on that roster looks better than ever. He finally has that opportunity to win he's always wanted, dating back to Portland.
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