# LeBron James joins 76ers, receives veteran backing

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/lebron-james-move-to-philadelphia-76ers
> Updated: 2026-07-31T03:57:20.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2.

LeBron James completed a two‑year, $8 million deal to leave the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons and sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. The move adds the former MVP to a lineup already featuring Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and newly‑acquired Jaylen Brown from Boston.

Former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal used the July 27 episode of SiriusXM’s The Stephen A. Smith Show to defend James against “ring‑chaser” criticism, drawing a parallel to his own veteran‑minimum contract with the Boston Celtics in his 19th season and emphasizing his lingering goal of another championship.

At a USA Basketball Foundation charity event, Kevin Durant praised the revamped Sixers as a legitimate 2027 title contender, noting the team now has four players capable of averaging 25 points per game and highlighting James’s chance to become the first player to win championships with four different franchises. Oddsmakers responded by moving Philadelphia into the top tier of championship odds, trailing only the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, while the franchise seeks its first title since 1983.

## Claims

- Shaquille O'Neal won three consecutive NBA championships with the Boston Celtics and one with the Miami Heat. (disputed by 3 sources)
- Shaquille O'Neal played one season with the Boston Celtics, his 19th and final NBA year, appearing in 37 regular‑season games and two playoff games. (disputed by 3 sources)
- LeBron James decided to join the Philadelphia 76ers. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Shaquille O'Neal defended LeBron James against critics calling him a “ring chaser”. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Shaquille O'Neal compared LeBron's move to his own late‑career signing with the Boston Celtics. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Shaquille O'Neal said LeBron James likely has two to three years left in his career. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The interview took place on the July 27 episode of SiriusXM’s The Stephen A. Smith Show. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-07-31: Shaquille O'Neal backs LeBron James's move to the Philadelphia 76ers

Shaquille O'Neal defended LeBron James’s move to the 76ers on a Stephen A. Smith interview, saying critics calling him a “ring chaser” are wrong and comparing the decision to O'Neal’s own late‑career stint with

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/shaquille-oneal-backs-lebron-jamess-move-to-the-philadelphia-76ers

### 2026-07-28: Kevin Durant backs LeBron James' move to Philadelphia 76ers

Kevin Durant defended LeBron James' move to the 76ers, saying NBA players chase rings, shots and money, sparking debate on player mobility and team‑building.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kevin-durant-backs-lebron-james-move-to-philadelphia-76ers

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Cite as: LeBron James joins 76ers, receives veteran backing. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/lebron-james-move-to-philadelphia-76ers