LeBron James’ shocking decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency took Sixers legend Charles Barkley by surprise.
The “Inside the NBA” analyst told ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith that the surprising signing ruined his day for one reason.
76ers Legend Charles Barkley Shares His Thoughts On LeBron James Signing
James signing with the 76ers on a two-year, $8 million deal caught many off guard. James joins a stacked Sixers team that also features Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, and V.J. Edgecombe.
One opinion that will certainly carry weight is that of Barkley, who’s never afraid to offer his thoughts. On ‘The Stephen A. Smith Show,’ he shared his thoughts on James’ decision but not before a rant about how James’ announcement ruined his golf plans and forced him to work on a Friday.
Charles Barkley is upset that LeBron James announcement to the Sixers ruined his day of golfing and now he has to work:
Stephen A Smith: how’s your day chuck
Charles Barkley: I was good until til yall ruined my damn day. I was heading to the golf course and now i gotta turn… pic.twitter.com/HNDmLOekPE
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) July 24, 2026
“I was good until y’all ruined my [expletive] day,” Barkley said. “I was heading to the golf course, and now I gotta turn around cause this doofus had to make his announcement. Don’t interrupt my [expletive] schedule! I’ve been playing golf all week, and now y’all [expletive] me off ’cause I gotta work on a Friday… I am not happy right now.”
Then, Smith asked him for his thoughts on James’ decision, and Barkley seemed largely unimpressed. Barkley described his initial reaction as “shocked,” emphasizing that James has no affiliation with Philadelphia so going back to his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers or reuniting with the Miami Heat would’ve made more sense.
“Shocked because I wanted him to go back to Cleveland; he has no affiliation with the 76ers… I was really hoping he’d go back to Cleveland,” he said.
Barkley went on to say that the 76ers’ trade for Brown enticed James to join them, making them the team to beat on paper in the East. Barkley described the possibility of winning a ring with four different teams as “incredible,” but he also pointed out a major knock on James.
“Man, you always stacking your team,” Barkley said. “He stacked in Miami. He stacked in Cleveland. He stacked in LA. Now he’s stacking in Philly. To me, I’m still gonna have the same criticism I’ve always had.”
Charles Barkley says LeBron James always stacks his team after going to Philly:
“The number one knock on LeBron for older guys like myself has always been, “Yo, man, you always stacking your team.” He stacked in Miami. He stacked in Cleveland. He stacked in LA. Now he’s stacking… pic.twitter.com/GCdBamMEdl
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) July 24, 2026
Detractors will call it “ring-chasing,” especially given the massive paycut he took since he’s playing for just $4 million (after earning more than $52 million last year). Regardless of how this final chapter of his career turns out, James will always have critics who point to the super-teams he played on.
While his decision to join a team he has no affiliation with is surprising, James clearly feels the 76ers give him the best shot at winning a fifth NBA championship. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer offers a huge boost to Philadelphia, making them heavy favorites in the Eastern Conference.
