LeBron James: Maxey friendship, helping Embiid were 76ers factors

LeBron James said his long-standing friendship with All-Star Tyrese Maxey and a desire to help Joel Embiid win his first NBA title played significant roles in his decision to sign a two-year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers in July.

James, 41, revealed some details about the free agency process and what helped put the 76ers over the top on his "Mind the Game" podcast with co-host Steve Nash that dropped Friday.

"I think I'm more in love with the pursuit of how much more can I defy the odds," James said on the podcast.

James said "Philly was not even a question" early in his decision-making until the Sixers pulled the surprising deal with the Boston Celtics for NBA Finals MVP and champion Jaylen Brown. James and Maxey share an agent and have been friends and workout partners since the Sixers guard broke into the league, a friendship that turned into a recruiting pitch for the NBA's career scoring leader.

"When I became a free agent and we decided to let the Lakers know that I wouldn't be returning, he was one of the first people that was on my line, calling me," James said of Maxey.

James also was intrigued with trying to help oft-injured Embiid win his first title. Embiid has won an NBA MVP, two scoring titles and an Olympic gold medal but has yet to lead the Sixers beyond the second round of the playoffs since Philadelphia selected him third overall in the 2014 draft.

"He's done everything in our league, and the only thing he has not done is win a championship. And I want to try to help him get that first one," James said. "He has a city on his back. He's been 'The Process' for 10 years, 12 years, however long he's been there. But I think it's time we even get you deeper into The Process. And I hope that I can be, kind of, that final little piece that can help him get over the hump."

The Sixers went 45-37 last season and were swept in the second round by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks.

James praised Brown for bringing an unwavering voice and energy of his own.

"I just think any time someone moves to their own beat, it makes someone uncomfortable," James said of Brown. "He has his own voice. He moves to the sound of his own beat. It makes people uncomfortable because it's not what everyone is accustomed to."

James is scheduled to meet with reporters for the first time as a Sixer on Monday at the team's media day in Camden, New Jersey. Training camp opens next week.

A four-time NBA champion, James wrote on social media when he signed with the Sixers that he felt he was "done" when his 23rd NBA season ended, his last with the Lakers. But after time away with family, and still feeling physically and mentally strong in offseason workouts, James decided he wanted to keep playing.

James called it "humbling" to play for the Lakers and expressed disappointment that he wasn't able to enjoy a championship parade because of the 2020 pandemic. He called Los Angeles home and said it would be for "the foreseeable future."

James' eight seasons with the Lakers was the longest continuous stretch with a single team of his NBA career. He even became the first father in NBA history to play alongside his son, teaming up with guard Bronny James for the past two seasons.

So why not return to the Lakers? Or reunite with the Miami Heat or Cleveland Cavaliers -- the other teams he won NBA championships with -- or stay in California and sign with the Golden State Warriors?

James offered no real insight into any teams he might have talked to or how close he might have been to signing with another team. He said he wanted to bring the championship blueprint to Philadelphia and lead the Sixers to their first title since 1983.

"If you still have an opportunity to do what you love, then why just say I'm done? What is the reason? Do you have a real reason?" James asked.

James' résumé is beyond compare in NBA history. He is a 22-time All-Star, a 21-time All-NBA selection, a four-time MVP, a four-time NBA Finals MVP, a three-time All-Star Game MVP and a member of the NBA's 75th anniversary team.

He is coming off a season when he averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game. For his career, he has averaged 26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.4 assists in 1,620 games.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.