LeBron James is officially a Philadelphia 76er. However, his final NBA chapter nearly unfolded at Madison Square Garden.
James revealed Monday that he seriously envisioned joining the New York Knicks before signing with Philadelphia this summer. The 41-year-old discussed his free agency during the 76ers’ annual media day in Camden, New Jersey. James is entering his record-setting 24th NBA season.
New York had long held a special appeal for James. He said Madison Square Garden factored heavily into his thinking.
“I had visions of playing in [Madison Square] Garden and finishing my career in the Garden,” James told ESPN. “One of the best places I’ve ever played.”
“I think it’s the No. 1 arena in the world, as far as for a basketball player. But after they beat San Antonio, I was like, ‘Hey, I can’t.’ I couldn’t do it.”
The Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in June to capture the 2026 NBA championship. It was New York’s first title since 1973.
Knicks championship changed James’ plans
James suggested joining the defending champions would have brought scrutiny he did not want.
“Y’all wouldn’t have let me lay that down, at all,” James said, referring to the media.
However, James made clear that his decision was not a slight toward New York.
“But much respect to the Knicks, obviously,” James said. “An unbelievable team, unbelievable players. Shout out Jalen Brunson. I love that guy, he’s unbelievable. But, yeah, I’m happy where I’m at, and I’m looking forward to it.”
James’ comments confirmed what his agent, Rich Paul, said earlier this summer. Paul said James likely would have selected New York if the Knicks had not captured the championship.
“If the Knicks hadn’t won, there would be no board,” Paul said in July. “He’d be going to the Knicks.”
Instead, James eventually narrowed his options to several teams. Philadelphia emerged as the destination following an aggressive offseason by the organization. The 76ers added Jaylen Brown while retaining a core featuring Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.
James signed a two-year deal worth approximately $8 million in July. The contract represented a significant pay cut for the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
Tyrese Maxey helped sell Philadelphia
James also credited his relationship with Maxey for helping Philadelphia win his commitment. The two developed a friendship through offseason workouts dating back several years. Their conversations became more serious once James began considering his next destination.
“I was asking all the questions that I could ask him,” James said. “It wasn’t just one conversation. Our relationship, when I broke a lot of the teams and franchises down I could possibly play for, he was one of the main deciding factors.”
James spent eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers before leaving the franchise this summer. He helped Los Angeles capture the 2020 NBA championship. He now joins a Philadelphia franchise still searching for its first championship since 1983. James made it clear Monday that another title remains his goal.
“I didn’t leave my family to lose in the second round,” James said.
His new chapter will immediately reconnect him with the team he once considered joining. Philadelphia opens its regular season against the defending champion Knicks on Oct. 20 at Madison Square Garden.