LeBron James signing an 2-year, $8 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers proved it was never about the money.
While there was an opportunity to return to the Los Angeles Lakers for a ninth season with the franchise, James felt like it was time to move on.
But there was another LA team that was interested in signing the four-time NBA champion — the Clippers.
According to ESPN insider Dave McMenamin, the Clippers offered James a one-year deal worth more than $20 million. The contract presented a chance for James to stay in his Brentwood home, but he declined.
The 41-year-old spent nearly a month mulling over his options in free agency, which eventually came down to five finalists: the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves and 76ers.
A return to either Miami or Cleveland would have made perfect sense for James, with nobody questioning the decision. Teaming up with Steph Curry in the Bay Area also would’ve been palatable by basketball fans.
But Philadelphia? Choosing the 76ers wasn’t the easy route, it was a challenging one.
Just like the previous three franchises he brought championships to before, James will have to perform at the highest level. Not only making a sacrifice to start fresh with a new organization, but also leaving his family on the west coast while he spends the NBA season living in New York City.
McMenamin provided insight into James’ decision to leave the city of LA, despite having spent the last eight years under the bright lights of Hollywood.
“But if it was just about the money, he could have stayed home and played for the Clippers,” McMenamin wrote.
“Ultimately, his decision — the last decision of this nature in his career — was all about finding that feeling of fully immersing himself in a basketball environment of his choosing.”
There’s no telling how things will pan out in Philadelphia, but evidently James is confident in the final free agency decision of his career.
