*This content was translated by AI.
LeBron James (left) and Stephen Curry. /Photo=AFPBBNews=NEWS1
LeBron James. /Photo=AFPBBNews=NEWS1
‘King’ LeBron James, 42, revealed why he chose the Philadelphia 76ers over the Golden State Warriors.
U.S. media Fadeaway World reported on the 25th (Korean time) that “Why didn’t LeBron choose Stephen Curry and Golden State in this year’s free agency market?” and added, “An ESPN reporter covering Golden State explained why Golden State lost out in the race to sign LeBron.”
According to the report, Anthony Slater of ESPN appeared on ‘NBA Today’ and drew a line by stating, “It wasn’t Curry’s fault.”
Slater said, “On the contrary, Curry was Golden State’s biggest draw. If LeBron had gone to Golden State, it would have been because Curry brought him in,” he stated.
He continued, “However, LeBron clarified in his statement that this choice was a decision made for winning.”
LeBron directly announced his move to Philadelphia via his social media (SNS) on this day. Previously, last month, he declared he would not re-sign with his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, thereby becoming a free agent for the first time since 2018.
Following that, teams including Golden State, his original team the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Miami Heat, and the Minnesota Timberwolves entered the race to sign LeBron. After fierce competition, the team that secured LeBron’s final choice was Philadelphia.
LeBron stated, “This is my final decision. It is not about going for money, nor for family.” He added, “At this moment, I pondered ‘What am I truly playing for?'”
He further emphasized, “I still want to sacrifice, continue training, and remain dedicated. I want the opportunity to keep competing, winning, and feel the thrill of a championship once again.”
He also clearly explained his reason for choosing Philadelphia. LeBron wrote, “I believe I can help make Philadelphia a championship team,” and added, “I am very excited to energize new fans and begin the final chapter of this amazing journey.”
Ultimately, he judged that winning was more likely in Philadelphia than in Golden State. Analysis suggests that the championship prospects of both teams were the key factors that determined LeBron’s final choice.
LeBron James (left) and Stephen Curry. /Photo=AFPBBNews=NEWS1
Stephen Curry (left) and LeBron James focusing on the game. /Photo=AFPBBNews=NEWS1
Fadeaway World stated, “The first concern LeBron felt was the tough competition in the Western Conference,” adding, “For Golden State to reach the Finals, they must overcome strong championship contenders like the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.”
Slater also explained, “Golden State is in the West. The Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs are holding their ground. LeBron likely judged that this path to a championship would be more difficult.”
Fadeaway World analyzed, “LeBron emphasized another championship as his final goal for his playing career. It appears he determined that Philadelphia, belonging to the Eastern Conference, had an advantage over Golden State in both the path to the Finals and team strength.”
The team composition was also evaluated as more attractive in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia already has Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey anchoring the roster. With Jaylen Brown joining recently and LeBron now added, they have built an ultra-luxury lineup of top-tier league players. LeBron’s arrival effectively created a new super team.
Philadelphia had not reached the NBA summit for 43 years since 1983. However, with LeBron’s acquisition, they instantly rose as a powerful championship contender.
Philadelphia team roster. /Photo=AFPBBNews=NEWS1
In contrast, while Golden State was linked to several superstars including Anthony Davis, they ultimately failed to secure any major acquisitions. Unable to present LeBron with a definitive championship-caliber lineup, they also failed to win over his heart.
Fadeaway World reported, “It wasn’t that Curry lacked anything. For LeBron, choosing a team closer to winning was more important than the historic moment of playing alongside Curry.”
They added, “While Golden State failed to instill confidence in LeBron regarding a championship through additional roster reinforcements, Philadelphia emerged as the final winner.”
In fact, LeBron decided to move to Philadelphia even at the cost of giving up an enormous salary. According to ESPN, LeBron signed a two-year contract worth $8 million (approximately 12 billion won) with Philadelphia. The deal reportedly includes a player option for the second year. The average annual value is approximately $40 thousand won (about 6 billion won).
LeBron earned over $50 million (approximately 73 billion won) in salary last season while with the Lakers. By donning the Philadelphia uniform, he gave up approximately 67 billion won based on his salary. This demonstrates that LeBron’s final goal is firmly set on winning a championship.
LeBron James with the Los Angeles Lakers. /Photo=AFPBBNews=NEWS1
LeBron is evaluated as one of the greatest players in NBA history alongside ‘Basketball Emperor’ Michael Jordan. Over 23 seasons, he has appeared in the most regular-season games in NBA history, totaling 1,622 contests. He has recorded a career total of 43,440 points, placing him atop the list of all-time NBA scorers.
He also won the regular season Most Valuable Player (MVP) award four Cha Rye (수상) times, and claimed both the NBA championship and Finals MVP each four times. His career regular-season averages are 26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists.
LeBron’s skills remained intact even in the 2025–2026 season. Playing for the Lakers, he appeared in 60 regular-season games, averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds. He continued to display top-tier competitiveness, which is hard to believe for a 41-year-old veteran.
LeBron James. /Photo=AFPBBNews=NEWS1
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*This content was translated by AI.