The NBA world erupted when 23-year veteran LeBron James ended his time with the Los Angeles Lakers and signed with the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this month.
His two-year, $8 million contract was a groundbreaking move that shook the league. But now, James is facing backlash due to his potential living arrangements with his new franchise.
Dave Portnoy and Brian Windhorst Weigh in on LeBron James’ Living Arrangements
According to reports, James is looking to commute to Philadelphia while remaining in New York City. This unusual circumstance has ruffled feathers in and around the league, and analysts are not holding back while speaking on the matter.
“The whole thing is outrageous, and I don’t say that critically; I say that just from a fascinating situation,” said Brian Windhorst of ESPN via X.
“First off, let’s just acknowledge, this is a one-off moment in the history of the league. We’ve never seen a player ever say the following things: ‘I don’t care about money, I don’t care about my family.’ He doesn’t really even seem to care about the city because he doesn’t seem like he’s going to live in Philadelphia full-time.”
“The fit isn’t quite right.” 👀@WindhorstESPN‘s thoughts on LeBron landing with the Philadelphia 76ers ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/nNIdEob06w
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) July 27, 2026
“It seems like he’s going to live at least part-time in New York. I don’t even know how to frame it, because it’s really, truly unbelievable…”
Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports also stated, “This guy is so disgusted by the city of Philadelphia that he’s commuting in from Manhattan? This guy hates you so much, Philadelphia, he says, ‘Hey, Governor Shapiro, name a day after me, the LeBron James Day,’ state of Pennsylvania, by the way, he loves your city so much, Philadelphia, that he won’t even live in the city?”
LeBron living in NYC while playing for the Sixers would be the biggest slap in the face to the city of Philadelphia pic.twitter.com/b7IZudYApn
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) July 27, 2026
“He’s living in Manhattan, and you guys are praising this guy and raising this guy? This is the biggest spit in the face to any city I’ve ever seen…”
By the end of James’ 2026 campaign, his final season with the Lakers, he averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game, while shooting 51.5% from the floor.
His 2027 campaign will mark his 24th year in the NBA, with previous stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Miami Heat, and, of course, the Los Angeles Lakers. The 41-year-old’s illustrious career has made him one of the most iconic figures in basketball history as he chases his fifth championship.
Portnoy and Windhorst are far from the only onlookers taken aback by this situation, and others will likely have more to say as decisions are made.
