LeBron James leaving Lakers for 76ers makes sense within context of winning

When LeBron James decided to leave the Lakers, immediate questions swirled about what he’d prioritize in his unprecedented 24th NBA season (and possibly beyond).Money?Proximity to family?Organizational familiarity?By joining the 76ers, James made it clear that his choice came down to winning.The money? James will sign a two-year, $8 million contract for the veteran’s minimum — literally the least expensive two-year deal he could sign.And a lot less than what the Lakers could’ve offered, or even the Warriors and Heat. The proximity to family? Philadelphia, along with Miami, was the potential destination farthest from LA, where he’s raised his family over the last eight years. The organizational familiarity? Unlike the Heat and Cavaliers, James hasn’t played for the 76ers.

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By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story But winning? James will have as good an opportunity to compete for another NBA title on a championship-caliber team with the 76ers as any of his options. He said as much on social media. “I’m not going for money,” James posted on X.

“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.I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time.”Those options also included the Lakers — a door James slammed shut 3 ½ weeks ago. And now the Lakers, who’ve fully entrenched themselves in the Luka Doncic era through roster reconstruction, are witnessing James do things he didn’t while playing for them.James sacrificed for the ...