LeBron James officially joined the Philadelphia 76ers as the fourth franchise of his legendary career. While the move fueled title expectations in Philadelphia, longtime critic Dillon Brooks didn’t hesitate to take a shot at the former Los Angeles Lakers star.
LeBron James’ Next Chapter Begins With a Shot From Dillon Brooks
There is still no love lost between James and Brooks. Their rivalry has become one of the NBA’s most entertaining and long-running personal feuds.
The 2023 NBA Playoffs reportedly served as the spark when Brooks was a member of the Memphis Grizzlies. Even after he left Memphis, the hostility never faded. It carried over during his time with the Houston Rockets and has continued into his current stint with the Phoenix Suns.
Brooks once again found himself in the spotlight after sitting courtside for Game 4 of the Lakers’ playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder last postseason when cameras caught him laughing at James.
Brooks recently took a dig at the former Lakers superstar when streamer N3on asked him about LeBron’s move to the 76ers.
The Suns forward took another subtle jab, suggesting the league’s all-time leading scorer was doing everything possible to win one more championship before what many believe could be the final chapter of his NBA career.
“I think he’s doing everything he can to get a last little ring,” Brooks said. “I read he almost has enough footage for a Last Dance documentary.”
Dillon Brooks on LeBron James joining the 76ers:
“I think he’s doing everything he can to get a last little ring… I read he almost has enough footage for a Last Dance documentary.”
(h/t @lureunt) pic.twitter.com/3407dAe42v
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) August 1, 2026
This time, Brooks was not entirely off the mark. Winning a fifth NBA championship has become one of James’ biggest priorities.
After weighing retirement and declining lucrative offers from other teams, the 41-year-old chose what he believed was the clearest path to another title through the Eastern Conference.
The biggest factor behind his selection of Philadelphia was the franchise’s blockbuster trade for Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics.
Once the 76ers paired Brown with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, they offered arguably the league’s most attractive championship opportunity.
James has backed his championship ambition with his actions. He accepted one of the largest single-season pay cuts in NBA history, dropping from the $52.6 million salary he earned in his final season with the Lakers to provide Philadelphia with maximum salary-cap flexibility.
James previously ended the Cleveland Cavaliers’ championship drought in 2016 before leading the Lakers back to NBA glory in 2020.
Now, with his move to Philadelphia, the future Hall of Famer has embraced another historic challenge to end the 76ers’ 43-year championship drought.
