LeBron James has revealed that a long-standing friendship with Tyrese Maxey and a clear objective to help Joel Embiid secure his first NBA championship drove his decision to sign a two-year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. Speaking on his “Mind the Game” podcast alongside co-host Steve Nash on September 25, 2026, the 41-year-old superstar detailed the internal calculus behind moving across the country after eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The four-time NBA champion enters his 24th professional campaign facing radically different circumstances in Philadelphia. While initial decision-making left the destination wide open, the framework shifted rapidly once the franchise engineered a notable trade with Boston to acquire reigning NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown. For James, however, the human connections within the organization provided the ultimate tipping point as he weighed whether to extend his career or walk away.
The Recruiting Call From Tyrese Maxey
Long before ink met paper on a deal in July, Tyrese Maxey acted immediately upon learning that his agency-shared friend and mentor would not return to the Lakers. Sharing an agent and years of summer workouts created a deep-rooted bond that transcended standard player-to-player recruitment.
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“When I became a free agent and we decided to let the Lakers know that I wouldn’t be returning, he was one of the first people who got on the line, calling me,” James said on the podcast. Maxey actively lobbied the league’s all-time leading scorer to choose Philadelphia as his next home. James praised the young guard’s steady demeanor, noting, “I love everything about Tyrese Maxey, old man. Every single day you run into the exact same person, and that is something super rare in sports and super rare in life.”
Chasing a Ring for Joel Embiid
Beyond his bond with Maxey, James pinpointed Joel Embiid’s empty championship ledger as the primary competitive catalyst for his move to Pennsylvania. Embiid boasts a packed resume featuring an NBA Most Valuable Player award, two scoring titles, All-Star selections, and an Olympic gold medal, yet a deep postseason run culminating in an NBA Finals appearance has continually eluded the star center.
“He’s done everything in our league, and the only thing he has not done is win a championship. And I want to try to help him get that first one,” James explained. He added that the center carries immense pressure: “He has a city on his shoulders. It’s been ‘The Process’ for 10 years, 12 years, however long he’s been there. But I think it’s time to examine the process in more detail. And hopefully, I can be that last little piece that can help him get over the hump.”
Roster Context and Season Outlook
The acquisition of James arrives as the 76ers look to rebound from a 45-37 campaign that ended in a second-round sweep by the eventual champion New York Knicks. With training camp scheduled to open in late September in Camden, New Jersey, and a formal media day introduction set for Monday, the franchise aims to merge veteran leadership with its prime core.
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James arrives with an unmatched historical resume, including 22 All-Star selections, 21 All-NBA nods, four regular-season MVP awards, and four Finals MVPs. Across his career spanning numerous games, he holds averages of 26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.4 asistencias per game, coming off a season with the Lakers where he averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 asistencias.
As the Philadelphia front office integrates its overhauled roster, James prepares for his first season outside of Los Angeles since 2018. The upcoming media day marks the official start of a new chapter aimed squarely at breaking the Eastern Conference postseason barrier.
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