LeBron James announced “The Decision, Part 3” last Friday. He’s “taking his talents” to Philadelphia this time.
“I’m not going for money,” he said, explaining why he signed for the bargain price of a paltry $8 million for two years—the league’s veteran minimum—compared to the $52.6 million the Los Angeles Lakers paid him last season.
It was so the 76ers could afford to field a championship-caliber team. And almost instantly, they became one of the betting favorites to win it all.
So, what does this mean for the Denver Nuggets?
And what could it have meant for James if he had chosen the Mile High City instead of the City of Brotherly Love?
The answer to Question No. 1 is that the Nuggets can now proceed with resolving Peyton Watson’s contract status, which they’d better do if they want to contend, and finalizing their roster for the 2026-27 season.
While Watson’s no LeBron, he’s almost 18 years younger and just beginning to develop into a standout player.
As for the second question, it depends on who answers.
After James informed L. A. (and the entire sports world) that he would not be returning to Tinseltown for a ninth National Basketball Association season there, rampant speculation ensued—much of it inspired by LeBron’s agent, Rich Paul.
Would he retire, as he said he might?
Would he opt for a second act with the Miami Heat, or a third with hometown Cleveland?
Or would he choose to move up the California coast and join the Golden State Warriors and his buddy, sharpshooter Steph Curry, in San Francisco?
The Minnesota Timberwolves were mentioned as a possible landing spot; San Antonio, where James could mentor precocious Victor Wembanyama, too.
And so was Denver, where he could team with the NBA’s contemporary great, Nikola Jokic, who AVERAGED a TRIPLE-DOUBLE last season.
It was even suggested that James’ close personal relationship with Nuggets president Josh Kroenke might give Denver some kind of leg up.
It also was pointed out that the Philadelphia 76ers were building a formidable starting five with the addition by blockbuster of Jaylen Brown, to go with Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Joel Embiid.
In the end, that was the deciding factor.
On social media after announcing his decision, James said he was serious when he said he might retire.
“I was honest at that last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and decide if I still love this game. I was pretty sure I’d played my last game.”
But he concluded that, “I have more to give.”
James, who will be 42 this December, wasn’t born when Philly last won an NBA title. He likes the idea of ending the Sixers’ 43-year drought in this, his record 24th season. (Denver won its first, and so far only, NBA championship in 2023—after 47 years in the league—and wasn’t mentioned as a serious LeBron contender on Friday.)
“I still want to sacrifice,” he explained. “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.
“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.”
If there are enough minutes and shots to keep all the stars happy, and if injury-prone Embiid and the others can stay on the floor for the entire grueling season, James might get his wish.
But here’s my take:
The measure of any truly great player is his effect on his teammates. Does he make them better?
In Nikola Jokic’s case, that answer is unquestionably, resoundingly, “YES.”
James himself was in that category for much of his long career. But at age 41, he’s more beneficiary than benefactor.
Translated, Jokic and his incredible passing could have shaved five years off James’ effective age as a player.
Achieving that with less wear and tear on an aging body would only have prolonged his physical prowess.
And restoring his performance to an earlier time would have enhanced his prospects for another NBA title.
Time will tell if playing alongside Brown, Maxey and the rest of the Sixers will produce a similar result. Seems unlikely. There’s no Jokic among them.
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Denny Dressman writes a weekly sports column for The Villager. You can write to Denny at dennydressman@comcast.net.