Sam Darnold, Cooper Kupp, LeBron James, Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia 76ers
Sam Darnold, Cooper Kupp, LeBron James, Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia 76ers
LeBron James surprised everyone after NBA Summer League when he joined the Philadelphia 76ers, and not everyone likes the move. James chose the Sixers over teams like Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Miami Heat.
The reactions have come pouring in from sports fans everywhere, including current and former NBA players as well as players in other leagues.
The reigning Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks took part in HBO's Hard Knocks for 2026 training camp, and cameras captured players' reactions to LeBron James' freea gency decision.
“I honestly think the secret here is LeBron knowing this, moving into the role that he's moved into, like facilitating the whole thing,” Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp said.
Kupp played for the Los Angeles Rams while LeBron James played for the Los Angeles Lakers, so there is a relationship there between the two.
“I hate how people are hating on him for going to a good team,” quarterback Sam Darnold added. “Everyone's like, ‘oh, he's going to a stacked team!' He’s 42! He can go where ever he wants. Any free agent ever can do that.
And any free agent would be like, ‘yeah I want to go play for a championship in my last year or two.'
Other NBA stars, like Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green or Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant, have also come out and expressed their feelings on James' free agency decision.
Last season was the 23rd of LeBron James' career and his eighth with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he averaged 20.9 point, 6.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 51.5 percent from the field and 31.7 percent from three.