🚨 REACTION TO LEBRON JAMES TO THE PHILADELPHIA 76ERS 🚨 | NBA on ESPN

We have breaking news here on First Take.According to Shams, LeBron James is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two -year, $8 million deal with a player option.This comes after more than 20 days since he announced that he will be leaving the Los Angeles Lakers to play the next chapter of his career somewhere else.Stephen A. We knew it was coming soon.We did not know it was coming today.Your initial reaction to LeBron joining forces with Jalen Brown and company in Philly.

Shock because I thought that if he was going back East, he would go home, that he wouldn't dangle his presence, his availability in the face of the Cleveland Cavaliers and then go somewhere else for him to choose the Philadelphia 76ers.This is a shock among shockers.And I think that this speaks to Bob Myers.Before the architect the former four -time champion executive for the Golden State Warriors being in Philly now and having him near who went out and Pulled off a heist as far as most of us are concerned in getting Jalen Brown.So now you got Jalen Brown Okay, who's big -time obviously with Tyrese maxi who's big -time?You got him with VJ edge comb who was who shined as a rookie and got tremendous potential and now you're looking at it if Joel and be is 50%.

I mean if he can give you anything during the playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers.could win the championship.And the fact that you have that kind of ability with that kind of basketball IQ with the kind of leadership with the credentials that he has to go along with all of that.I can't say enough about it.The fact of the matter is the Philadelphia 76 is on an elite place and for the to watch them get the brakes beat off of them by the New York Knicks in the playoffs.This

past year when they got swept to see them.take hold of this by elevating Bob Myers.And what does he do?Before you've had an opportunity to pass gas, this dude goes out and acquires Jalen Brown and now LeBron James.It's a sensational job on his part.

Your surprise level on him being a Philadelphia 76er is rooted in what?

It's rooted in the fact that I know what Cleveland means to him and him being available.to go back home to Cleveland to end his career is what I anticipated.I thought that that would be too much for him to shun or to push aside.Not to say that he did it with any malice intent.Of course, he loves that area.It's home to him.

That's what I was thinking Miami.Obviously, even though you got Giannis and BAM, the reality is, is that you still need to fill a roster and you need a few things.If you're Miami, even if you were to get LeBron James in Cleveland.There is the James Harden factor because you promised him you're going to resign him and you never know if he's going to he's going to show up in a big game, meaning a game six or seven of a series.And obviously, you know what?There's only one basketball.

He's going to want it and James Harden's never really played off the ball.So you've got that issue.It makes total sense that it's Philly.I just thought that if he was going to go back east, it would be real difficult for him to say no to Cleveland because it's home.It's everything for him.

Shams, how did LeBron arrive at this decision?

Courtney, he spent the last few weeks talking to Philadelphia, Cleveland, Miami.As we know, those were the teams at the front lines of this because of the simple fact that LeBron James went into this process once he decided to leave the league.that this would be about winning, about competing at a high level, building a culture with a team, having a team that he trusts.The Sixers were not even in the picture, were not on the map until Bob Myers and Mike Gansey went out there and traded for Jalen Brown.So you have Tyrese Maxey, you have B .J.

Edgecombe, you have Jalen Brown and Joel Embiid.So LeBron James looked at that roster, He looked at the cat the cat the Cavaliers roster.He looked at the Heat roster and he is choosing the Philadelphia 76ers for a historic 24th season, but he's signing a two -year deal a player option for a potential 25th season.So the Sixers and LeBron James are going into this that he could very well play historic record 25th season and this is about Bob Myers and Mike Gansey and a slew of their players from Tyrese Maxey Jalen Brown Joel Embiid all calling LeBron James having relationships with LeBron James, specifically Tyrese Maxey and selling them on that vision that it was about winning.And so LeBron James made a decision today that he believes the Sixers are best positioned to go out there and win a championship.LeBron James shocks the entire NBA.

He doesn't go Miami.He doesn't go Cleveland.He goes the Philadelphia 76ers and he chooses Bob Myers.Josh Harris, that ownership group there, and now a starting five of Tyrese Maxey, Vijay Edgecombe, LeBron James, Jalen Brown, and Joel Embiid.

Wendy, this news just drops.What's your reaction?

Well, I got to say, in the last few days, LeBron kept having conversations with some of Philly's players.Joel Embiid, obviously, was a key conversation.And I don't think Philly really loved their positioning in the running a few days ago.They had made their pitch.Their big pitch was trading for Jalen Brown.But LeBron kept reaching out to the 76ers players.

and it gave gave them hope that they were still involved.And really, as of yesterday, I really don't think anybody had any insight as to where LeBron was going.I would be interested to hear from LeBron at some point when he made up his mind here.But this is a decision, as Shams was saying, that I think is really based in what Winning the 2027 NBA championship.It's not you know, I know that you know was nebulous saying about happiness But this is the team that he believes that he and joining can do that I think you could make a case for Cleveland you make a case for Miami But the 76ers had two enormous things going for them in this in this situation number one They had Tyrese Maxey a clutch client who was a star player.I can't say that enough LeBron's comfort level and connection with Tyrese Maxey going back to when he was in college to when he joined that is a factor here Cleveland did not have that Miami did not have that Draymond Green was recruiting him to Golden State, but they're in the Western Conference and there's complications there though The Warriors wouldn't have been that sort of instant championship contender Is it championship or bust for the Sixers team knowing how they are currently?

Constructed and then they add LeBron into the fold I personally think so.

I think that you can look at it like that because they're clearly a championship team.Make no mistake about it.You got to give respect where respect is due at least getting to the finals.That definitely is going to be the mandate in the end.They're great.They're great team.

I'm a diehard New York Knicks fan and I have to concede.We got a lot to be worried about because the Philadelphia 76ers has certainly ascended to championship contention with this move.There is no doubt about that.

LeBron James has made his choice of where he's going to continue his basketball career and congratulations to the Philadelphia 76ers.So, LeBron, though, going to the Philadelphia 76ers.Sportsbooks had Miami and Cleveland flip -flopping on the favorites.We hoped for Golden State just strictly because of what it could have been.Philadelphia, I don't know if anybody was really thinking this was gonna happen.You mentioned yesterday Vet Men, $4 million, $7 million, maybe some incentive offset stuff.

He signs a two -year, $8 million deal with the 76ers.This is what he thinks he could win his next title with.Why do you think we landed in Philadelphia, Shams?

that everyone is stunned in the NBA, right?Like when you think about LeBron James, Cleveland, Miami, those teams are going to be mentioned as a frontrunner.But we've been saying on this program for the last two and a half weeks, Cleveland, Miami, Philadelphia, those are the reason why we kept mentioning Philly.Because when you look at their roster, they have Tyrese Maxey, BJ Edgecomb, Jalen Brown, Joel Embiid.And we're all going to take whatever LeBron James, his intentions were at face value.He made it very clear from the beginning.

I want to compete for a championship.I want to win at a high level.This is not a money -driven decision.That's what LeBron James made very clear from the outset of this process when he decided to leave the Lakers on June 30th.So now a month later, he was going to have to put his money where his mouth is.And today, what I see most from this decision is he is choosing that the Sixers give him the best chance to win a championship.

It's not about legacy of going back to Cleveland.It's not ab where he also played.Thos with a chance to win a ch So he feels joining the s the question becomes basketball fit.

The question becomes who's going to take the backseat.When you acquired Jalen Brown a month ago, the question was going to be can Jalen Brown sort of take a backseat in the fit in with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Williams.And now you add in LeBron James for the final tour of his career.The good news is LeBron is one of the best facilitators this league has ever seen.He played the third option behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reese for a stretch in Los Angeles last year.The question is just going to be who's going to do the little things, but from a talent perspective, they're overwhelming.

I'm just not sure that the New York Knicks are shaking in their boots.going down I -95 or down the Acelo.However, we wound up getting the Philly from New York.

Let's tag in one of LeBron's former teammates, NBA champion Iman Shumpert.Shup, take us through your initial thoughts since LeBron posted his decision.

My initial thought, he wants to win.I broke it down a lot of times when we was talking about it previously, just saying LeBron's decision of quote -unquote happiness is going to be rested upon.Can he win there?Does he like the city?Does he feel like he can do something special?I think his love for the game has always trumped everything.

He's not just in this thing for winning or playing.another year just as it means to LeBron James.I think it's all about the brand of basketball he plays.Is it a fun way to go out?Is this a way that presents a new challenge for him?

How do you imagine that they'll fit in terms of leadership and how everyone gets to eat offensively?

I think that when you enter guys like Tyrese Maxey, Joellen B, Jalen Brown, I think you look at that and you think about the egos, you think about what comes with that.I think the reason LeBron is the perfect ingredient is it's hard to get a finals MVP to listen.But when you bring somebody like LeBron James, everybody has to listen.Even your coaching staff has to listen because of all the experience that he's had.the different lineups he's been a part of, the different roles he's had to play in the league.I think that he himself can change the pace of the team and allow those players to play how they play vj maxi gonna be a little turn, you know, getting on the breakaway, but also just wanting to run and wanting to play faster.

I think LeBron becomes the perfect change up because he can play point forward, but he can also play with his back to the basket and survey the field.So I think it's also a big key for me is to know that Joel Embiid's health has always been in question.Now you get to be next to LeBron James, who has showed us longevity.He has shown us how to take care of our bodies.He will be sitting front row to watch and be a part of Joel Embiid's journey to get healthy.

No way.I just pitched him for the Pacers.It didn't get to him fast enough.The 76ers.Wow.Wow, I didn't.

Selfishly, I wanted the Warriors because Steph and Braun would have been absolutely insane together, but they have some serious talent on the 76ers.arguably maybe one of the favorites in the East now with the Knicks and obviously my Pacers.

LeBron's front of the Sixers.What are your thoughts on that?Did he?Yeah, it just happened.Did he go?Let's get some facts up here.

Say it again?

I haven't seen it.I don't have my phone or nothing.

It just broke down.

That's good.How much does that not impact you?Yeah, I mean, shout out to LeBron.Listen, if LeBron's in a space where he's happy and he's blessed and it works out for him and his family, I think he's at this point in his career where He's really focusing on something that's really important, which is him and his family.So shout out to him.I'm glad that he found another home.

I know he's going to probably crush it.

Great reactions from the WNBA.All -Star Weekend there in Chicago.This is BJ Edgecombe a little while ago on Instagram.Just a big smile having heard the news.The Sixers second year guard very excited.Can't believe it.

This is his life.

To be playing with LeBron James.Rob your reaction to the biggest news in Philadelphia today.LeBron James to the 76ers.Thoughts take it away.

Unbelievable.Well, unbelievable.All of my friends in Philadelphia are saying that people are pulling over in their cars, they're honking, there's high fives.People are high -fiving in the street, they're hugging.One of my friends said he saw tears, tears streaming down someone's face.A very big day, a very exciting day.

A very exciting month for the Philadelphia 76ers.And I gotta believe that we got a shot.We got a shot.There's a lot of brotherly love and sisterly love.A lot of human love over there in Philadelphia right now.

What, the Vancouver Grizzlies weren't an option?I don't understand the bias here.Whatever.

I mean, I think King James saw an opportunity to win another championship this season, and I think he jumped on it.

I mean, wise man.Were you hoping LeBron would sign with Wrexham?

I'm telling you right now, I bet you LeBron would start.Like, I think that, you know, these guys are just so gifted physically.And there's an artistry to it.I really think that he could be an incredible right -wing back at Wrexham.

James, he took to social media earlier today, and he posted that he contemplated retirement, writing that, I thought I was done when the season ended.I wasn't ready to announce it, and I knew I needed some time to really decide.But I was pretty sure I'd played my last game, and I was honest at that last press conference when I said that I needed to look at myself and decide if I still love this game.And he said, I truly do still love this game, and I have more to give.The last few weeks, they've been real.special.

I've never, he wrote, been able to have no clue what to do and take real time to just think and I've had an incredible few months with all of the people I love trying to figure it all out.This, and this is noteworthy, he says, is is my last decision.He says, I'm not going for money.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 feeling of winning another championship.Now, I believe, he wrote, that I can help make Philadelphia a championship team.And I'm so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time.Thank you, LA.

Miami, I'll love you forever.However, Northeast Ohio will always be home.Our senior insider Sham Sharanya joins us now after breaking this story earlier today.And Shams, we just heard a little bit of James in his own words on what his motivation was to join the Philadelphia 76ers.But behind the scenes, peeling back the curtain a little bit, what was this process like and how did he land on Philly?

Malika LeBron James literally put the money where his mouth is right because early in the process it was very apparent that he wanted to decide on a team where he found happiness a chance to win a championship and compete at a high level that this was not gonna be a money -driven decision which is what I told you back at Wimbledon about 25 days ago and literally he signs for the veteran minimum contract, the lowest amount that he can go for two years, $8 million with a player option for that potential 25th historic season.And this is weeks of a recruitment by the 76ers.Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, both recruited him.Jalen Brown also communicated virtually with his agent, Rich Paul, as well in the last several weeks to try to see if they can get on the same page.We know Bob Myers 10 years ago got Kevin Durant's commitment.Now 10 years later gets LeBron James' commitment.

Mike Gansey, their new president of Bastard Operations, he played with LeBron James against LeBron James back in high school.So that relationship goes deep.He's also an executive with the Cavaliers.But the last hurdle, I'm told, Malika, this week for LeBron James was getting the family on board.His wife, Savannah, his daughter, Zuri, Brani, and Bryce, his two young sons, is now he's going to be playing on the East Coast.This is a complete family change for them.

Over the last eight years, he's been playing in LA.Now he's going to be on the East Coast.So getting them all in one vicinity was very important.This week he was able to spend in Los Angeles with his family after getting, you know, he's been doing the Cavaliers reunion trip.He was in New York for events.He was in Puerto Rico hanging out with Draymond Green.

And so he's able to get his family on board and decides to sign with the Sixers.

Listen, my first thought is that I wanted to say, you know what, this is, I said, this is not bad.Matter of fact, this puts Philly right they're up with the New York Knicks, right?They're going to be looking eye -to -eye with them.My second thought was, how big of a loss for the Cleveland Cavaliers?And we could dive into that later on.But then I looked and I said, oh, LeBron James have an effect on Joel Embiid?

Joel Embiid This is what he has been waiting on.He has been waiting on a guy like LeBron James to come in and not only play alongside him, but be a mentor to him.I believe that we're going to see the best version of Joel Embiid because of LeBron James.LeBron James IQ and what he brings to the table, what he brings off the floor, how to be a professional, how to take care of your body.We're going to seea different version of Joelle and Bea, but also Malika, Wendy.

You know when I get to thinking, right?I thought about this.This is this is not a two year deal that LeBron James signed.This is a lifetime deal that LeBron James signed.See, everything LeBron James and Rich Paul do is strategically planned out for the future.Right.

And so I've got to thinking about their relationship with Josh Harris.I got to think about thinking about All the teams that Josh Harris owned, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Washington Commanders, right?And then I got to thinking about, huh, LeBron James, after basketball, wants to be an owner.LeBron James loved the business side of it.How do you get in the business?You start by developing a relationship right now.

So yes, he does wanna compete for a championship, but this is bigger than just this two -year, $8 million deal.

The thing about LeBron James is he can play multiple positions on the floor.So if he is in that four position, Malika and Joel Embiid is potentially healthy.You've got a threat in terms of scoring in the paint.You've got an outstanding facilitator and you've got a high basketball IQ guy that will take the shots that are given off of this offense.Now you got to look at the rest of the offense, right?The speed of Edgecombe and Maxey already made this Philadelphia 76ers squad more dangerous than I think people were prepared for this past season.

They're only going to take a step forward.And then you look at what Jalen Brown Brian, what do you think of this?

Yeah, I think what Monica said about high IQ is very important.High IQ players are something LeBron has always wanted to play with.And while Joel Embiid's health has often failed him, no one would ever say he's anything but a high IQ player.And I think they can figure out how to play together.And I cannot overemphasize enough the importance of the connection with Maxi.When you're going into a situation where there's not going to be clearly defined roles, and you're not going to be sure how it might work with Jalen Brown, and, you know, Vijay Edgecombe's still finding his way in the league, the connection with the point guard is vital.

These are two guys who have spent a lot of time together through Clutch Sports.LeBron was part of the recruitment process of him to Clutch Sports back when he was in high school and in college.All of these things are major factors.The Maxi factor of this cannot be understated.And when I compare it to the Harden decision, it's not comparing Harden and Maxi as players, but the comfort level with Maxi is clearly deeper than the comfort level with Harden.honestly believed that that was part of it.

And so do I know how this team is going to play today?No.Does Nick Nurse know how this team is going to play today?No.But are you going to bet on the connection between Maxi and LeBron?It's a reasonable thing to bet on.