LeBron James shocked the NBA world on Friday afternoon, announcing that he signed a two-year deal to join the Philadelphia 76ers. The ripple effects of this decision will impact NBA free agency for weeks to come and have a massive influence on what happens during the 2025 to 2026 NBA season. After all, very few saw this coming.
However, when we look back at everything that happened within the last month, it certainly feels like LeBron and some close to this process signaled where this was headed all along.
Rich Paul Put an Asterisk Next to Tyrese Maxey’s Name on July 3 Podcast
Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers, LeBron James
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
There are too many podcasts as it is, so no one could blame NBA fans if they did not put much stock in what happened on Rich Paul’s podcast. However, nearly a month later, it certainly feels like LeBron James’ agent was hinting at the direction this would go. Of the teams shown on the whiteboard, only one team and one player had an asterisk: Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers. Coincidence? Maybe by itself, but it pieces together with the other clues to make a clear picture.
IG Post by Brother of Philadelphia 76ers POB Mike Gansey
Philadelphia 76ers, LeBron James
Feb 9, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers senior basketball advisor Bernie Bickerstaff, left, and assistant general manager Mike Gansey sit in the stand before a game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the San Antonio Spurs at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Back in May, Mike Gansey was hired as president of basketball operations for the Philadelphia 76ers. A few months later, as the team started recruiting LeBron James, Steven Gansey posted an old photo of his brother and LeBron from when they played against each other in high school. Again, on its own, it could’ve just been seen as wishcasting by the brother of the 76ers’ president of basketball operations. In hindsight, though, it’s another connected dot.
LeBron James’ Relationship with Michael Rubin, Fanatic Fest Appearance
LeBron James
LeBron James acknowledges the crowd’s reaction as he takes the stage for the I PROMISE Family Reunion event to welcome him home on Friday at InfoCision Stadium in Akron. The event was hosted by the LeBron James Family Foundation.
There was plenty of hope last week that LeBron James would announce his decision at Fanatics Fest; it’s certainly what Fanatics founder Michael Rubin would’ve loved for the event. While Rubin’s massive revenue-generating event did not have the spectacle of LeBron publicly announcing he would join the 76ers, there’s still a connection here. Rubin is a Philadelphia native who grew up a 76ers fan, and he used to be a minority owner in the franchise. While it might not be an Aspirations-like situation, it’s also fair to assume that LeBron got paid a nice sum to show up at Fanatics Fest.
HEADING
LeBron James, Philadelphia 76ers
Nov 27, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) talks with Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
This one seemed too obvious at the time. A week later? Maybe LeBron was already telling the world that he would head to Philadelphia. During the aforementioned appearance at Fanatics Fest, LeBron was being interviewed by Tyrese Haliburton. As the Indiana Pacers guard tried to fish out the team the future Hall of Famer would be signing with on a live episode of “Mind The Game”, LeBron dropped the “Trust The Process” slogan twice. Heck, Haliburton even jokingly asked LeBron before that, “What are you going on, what is this… Year 76?” The signs were all there.
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Matt Johnson is Senior Editor of NFL and College Football for Sportsnaut. His work, including weekly NFL and college ... More about Matt Johnson