After much speculation surrounding his next team, LeBron James announced last month that he was signing with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $8 million contract.
76ers star Tyrese Maxey has now revealed the role he played in convincing the 41-year-old to snub the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Golden State Warriors for Philadelphia.
Tyrese Maxey Reveals Role in Recruiting LeBron James to the 76ers
Maxey has established himself as a key part of the 76ers roster since being drafted by the franchise in 2020. The 6-foot-2 guard has now revealed that it did not take a lot of convincing to help James make up his mind about signing with the 76ers.
“Not many. It wasn’t a lot of convincing. Couple phone calls, couple texts… He’s a lot older than me, but I guess we’re friends,” Maxey told John Clark of NBC.
“Not many. It wasn’t a lot of convincing. Couple phone calls, couple texts. He’s a lot older than me, but I guess we’re friends 😂 “
-Tyrese Maxey says it didn’t take a lot for him to recruit LeBron James to come to the Sixers. Tyrese says the group chat is very cool with the… pic.twitter.com/rBJkrn63yN
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) August 6, 2026
Several teams were interested in signing James as a free agent after he left the Los Angeles Lakers in June. However, the four-time NBA champion and MVP chose Philly as his next destination.
James revealed when he signed with the 76ers that he believes the team gives him the best opportunity of winning a fifth NBA championship.
“I’m not going for money. I’m not going for family… I still want to sacrifice. I still want to work. I still want to grind. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship,” James wrote on social media while explaining his decision to sign with the 76ers.
“I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time,” he added.
Meanwhile, Maxey is coming off a stellar season, averaging a career-best 28.3 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game. Going into his seventh season in the NBA, the Kentucky alum will have his sights set on leading the 76ers to their first championship since 1983.
The 76ers defeated the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs last season, coming from 3-1 down before winning the series in Game 7. However, their season ended with a sweep by the eventual champions, the New York Knicks, in the second round.
The offseason acquisitions of James and Jaylen Brown have the 76ers well-placed to put together a season-long bid for the NBA championship next season.
