LeBron James had options. Compelling options only afforded to one of the NBA’s all-time greats at his age.
He could have gone to Cleveland for another homecoming with the Cavs franchise that the Akron, Ohio, native began his career with and delivered a long-awaited title in 2016.
He could join Golden State, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green and try to deliver one more championship to this Warriors era.
He could return to Miami, where he won his first NBA championship, two Kia MVPs and two Finals MVPs, and play alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.
Or he could team up in Philadelphia with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and VJ Edgecombe and try to help the 76ers win their first title since 1983.
In the end, James chose Philly.
It’s remarkable that in his fifth decade on the planet and 20-plus years into his pro basketball career, James is a player teams want.
At 41 years old, James was again the focal point of free agency. Entering his 24th season, James remained in demand: an All-Star-caliber player who can help a team make a deep playoff run and possibly win a championship (it would be his fifth title).
This free agency and demand for James’ talent could only have taken place because he has kept himself in supreme physical condition and retained enough skills that he still is a valuable contributor. The game has not seen anything like this. James was an All-Star for the 22nd time in 2025-26. He averaged 23.2 points, 7.3 assists, 6.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game for the Lakers in the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
