“I think he’s going to go somewhere he can win another ring,” O’Neal noted on July 21 speaking to Mona Kosar Abdi on Extra when assessing potential landing spots for the superstar. “Maybe Miami. Maybe Golden State. Maybe even Philly.”

“Once we’re done playing, we can never play again,” O’Neal said during the sit-down interview. “You never want to retire saying, ‘I should have done this. I should have done that.’” His remarks highlight how top contenders remain viable options for players like James, who is even willing to take a historic pay cut to play again.

Why so many critics target LeBron James

“A lot of haters call it ring chasing,” O’Neal stated while dismantling the negative narrative. “But you’re supposed to chase rings. If you chase rings and accomplish getting them, that’s what we call greatness. Those who haven’t achieved greatness call it ring chasing because they haven’t achieved greatness.”

The persistent backlash against LeBron James, which includes harsh criticism from Charles Barkley, often stems from how he reshaped player empowerment in modern sports. When he made his high-profile move to the Miami Heat in 2010, critics argued that constructing powerhouse rosters diluted the traditional competitive drive of the league.

Did LeBron James ever play on the same team as Shaquille O’Neal?

Yes, LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal were actually teammates during the 2009–2010 NBA season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cleveland signed the veteran center in an effort to provide James with interior size and championship experience during his first stint with the franchise.

Although the pairing generated massive media coverage and fan excitement, their time together was brief and plagued by injuries. O’Neal was near the end of his illustrious career, and the Cavaliers ultimately fell short in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Celtics, ending their single season as teammates.

The $8 million James will make over the next two years in Philly automatically marks the biggest pay cut in NBA history, according to a report by Frank Urbina for HoopsHype. It is a massive drop compared to what he was making with the Lakers.

His decision didn’t come without backlash, though. Charles Barkley criticized the move, maintaining that James still falls short of his GOAT standards unless he actually delivers a championship ring to Philadelphia.

James’s massive pay cut to play in Philly

To anyone not used to making millions in the NBA, the sheer amount James surrendered is staggering: he took $48.75 million less than what he made with the Lakers, a monumental pay cut. But a player like LeBron won’t feel much financial pressure, considering his net worth sits well above $1 billion.

James’s salary in Philly will sit at just $3.88 million per year, more than enough for him to live comfortably in the city while playing alongside a stacked roster with the 76ers. That superteam dynamic drew harsh criticism from former teammate Danny Green, who called out James’s habit of joining “packed teams.”

The lowest salary of James’ career

This contract marks the lowest salary of LeBron’s professional career since his 2003 rookie season, when he made $4.01 million with the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the final year of his Philadelphia deal, he’ll earn $4 million to round out the roughly $8 million package he signed for.

“I actually think this is something Kobe would be extremely… I don’t know if proud’s the right word, but I think he would be like ‘hell yeah.’ Because it’s a challenge, it’s a competitive move,” he said on his Game Over podcast with Max Kellerman.

James explained that his decision to choose the Philadelphia 76ers over the Miami Heat or Cleveland Cavaliers was driven by his desire to win a championship with the franchise, making it clear that his determination to continue competing at the highest level remains as strong as ever. Kobe’s Black Mamba mentality is a perfect reflection of that mindset.

Mutual respect between Kobe and LeBron

The NBA has featured a select group of elite players in recent years, with Kobe Bryant and LeBron James undoubtedly standing among the greatest. Both were able to win championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, and the respect they had for each other throughout their careers was displayed not only on the court but also beyond the game.

Kobe Bryant won five championships throughout his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, while The King did so only once. LeBron‘s only title with the Lakers came in 2020, during the famous Orlando bubble, when they defeated the Miami Heat in the Finals.

Philadelphia want to win another title

After joining Philadelphia, LeBron James will aim to secure a fourth championship for the historic franchise—which previously captured titles in 1955 (as the Syracuse Nationals), 1967, and 1983—and earn the fifth ring of his own legendary career. Joining forces with established stars like Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, the 76ers potential lineup instantly positions the team as a top contender in the East as the veteran superstar seeks to lead the city back to NBA glory.

Two of the biggest losers in the LeBron sweepstakes were the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Both franchises had been widely linked to James, believing they had a legitimate chance to land one of the greatest players in NBA history.

Now, according to a new report, Warriors and Cavs are already moving on to Plan B as they continue searching for reinforcements ahead of the 2026-27 season. A possible name is looming.

Warriors and Cavaliers reportedly targeting Mario Hezonja

According to NBA insider Shams Charania, both Golden State and Cleveland have shown interest in Mario Hezonja after missing out on LeBron. “Another player getting interest with Cleveland and Golden State as well is Mario Hezonja.”

Who is Mario Hezonja?

Mario Hezonja was selected by the Orlando Magic with the fifth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft but never fully lived up to expectations during his first stint in the league.

Since returning to Europe, however, the Croatian forward has developed into one of the EuroLeague’s most consistent players while starring for Real Madrid. Now, he is reportedly considering another opportunity in the NBA.

For the Warriors, adding Hezonja would provide additional depth while Jimmy Butler continues recovering from injury and the team searches for ways to remain competitive alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.

For Cleveland, Hezonja represents another experienced option as the Cavaliers look to strengthen a roster already featuring Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley after missing out on the chance to reunite with LeBron James.

Cunningham was in an interview with Complex Bets, and at first, she asked if the move was “actually real.” Once she got the confirmation, Cunningham stated, “I mean, we were kind of talking about there’s only one ball amongst a lot of stars. So I think that’ll be interesting.“

Cunningham then added a concerning situation but couldn’t hide her excitement to see how it’ll all unfold, “But like, how cool? I think that that team is going to draw a lot of attention. I’m curious to know how it’s going to pan out. But good for him [LeBron James].”

And Cunningham is not wrong here. Time and time again we’ve seen teams filled with incompatible stars. When looking at the 76ers potential lineup with LeBron James on the roster, one should wonder how it’ll all work out.

There are a couple of glaring problems on the 76ers right now

One thing that really is concerning is the amount of games they will all play together. LeBron, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe provide plenty of talent, but also a history for missing time.

Over the last two seasons, Embiid has played only 57 games, Maxey has missed time with finger, hamstring, and ankle injuries, James has had to manage ankle and foot injuries, as well as load management due to his age. Jaylen Brown has suffered minor hip, knee, and illness issues that have sidelined him, while Edgecombe has missed time due to calf strains and lumbar contusions.

On-court problems could also rise

If everyone is healthy, there is still a glaring weakness on the Sixers. While they could physically impose, the perimeter game is below average. In this day and age, being able to live by the three is almost imperative.

The 76ers ranked 23rd in the NBA in both 3-point percentage and 3-point frequency last season. LeBron, who shot just 31.7% from three last season won’t add anything to that. Teams will fill the low post and force them into outer looks, where they won’t be able to capitalize.

“Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Memphis Grizzlies are negotiating a buyout and the veteran 3-&-D specialist intends to team back up with LeBron James and sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, league sources tell me,” Haynes revealed on X.

Last season with the Grizzlies, KCP averaged just 8.4 points per game and shot 31.6% from three-point range. An injury caused his performance to decline as the weeks went by. Will he be able to achieve his goal of joining James in the short term?

James and KCP already know what it takes to win

During the 2020 NBA Bubble in Orlando, LeBron James and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope played instrumental roles in leading the Los Angeles Lakers to their 17th NBA championship, defeating the Miami Heat in six games in the Finals. LeBron was the unquestioned focal point of the team, dominating the 2020 Finals to capture Finals MVP honors with monstrous averages of 29.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game on 59.1% shooting from the field.

Meanwhile, KCP served as a crucial 3-and-D starter and the team’s third-highest scorer in the Finals, anchoring the perimeter defense while providing clutch shot-making, averaging 12.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game during the championship series.

Philadelphia is a true contender

LeBron’s return to the Eastern Conference has given Philadelphia serious championship aspirations. The 76ers’ projected lineup, led by James, also features players of Joel Embiid’s caliber and recently acquired star Jaylen Brown.

Will these names be enough to compete with the defending champion New York Knicks? This franchise wants to become NBA champions once again, a title that has eluded them since the 1982-83 season, when the team featured, among others, Julius Erving and Moses Malone.

According to The Athletic’s Joe Vardon and David Aldridge, Green’s decision to decline his player option last month was connected to Golden State’s attempt to create financial flexibility for a possible run at James. The Warriors are now expected to re-sign Green to roughly the same dollar amount — nearly $28 million — of the player’s option he declined last month, the report stated.

The move allows Golden State to maintain continuity around Stephen Curry, who recently confirmed LeBron James joining the Warriors was possible, after James ultimately chose to sign a two‑year contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, ending speculation about a potential partnership between two of the NBA’s biggest stars.

Why are the Warriors bringing back Draymond Green?

Green’s return represents a shift in direction after Golden State’s plans for a major roster move failed to materialize. The veteran forward had previously declined his player option to give the organization additional flexibility during its pursuit of James.

The Warriors also explored potential scenarios that could have involved roster changes, including a possible trade centered around Jimmy Butler and Anthony Davis if James had decided to join the team. Those possibilities never developed, leaving Golden State focused on keeping one of its longest-tenured players.

What does Draymond Green’s return mean for Golden State?

At 36 years old, Green remains one of the defining figures of the Warriors’ recent success. The four-time NBA champion and former Defensive Player of the Year continues to provide elite defensive versatility, leadership and playmaking alongside Curry.

Although Golden State missed the opportunity to add another superstar, bringing back Green preserves the foundation of a team still built around Curry. The Warriors can now turn their attention toward additional roster decisions ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season while maintaining one of the most experienced cores in the league.

For weeks, multiple contenders believed they had a realistic chance to land the four-time NBA champion. Now that James has chosen Philadelphia, those organizations are being forced to pivot toward other high-profile free agents before the market becomes even more competitive.

One player expected to benefit from that domino effect is Jonathan Kuminga, who has suddenly emerged as one of the most intriguing names available to make a big splash.

Cavaliers reportedly interested in Jonathan Kuminga

According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the Cleveland Cavaliers could shift their focus to Jonathan Kuminga after missing out on LeBron James. “You’re going to look at names like Jonathan Kuminga in play with the Cavaliers. They were banking on potentially getting LeBron James.”

LeBron’s decision has significantly changed the landscape of the Eastern Conference. With the 76ers adding James, the Knicks remaining among the conference’s top contenders, and the Miami Heat continuing to strengthen their roster, the Cavaliers can no longer afford to wait if they hope to keep pace in the title race.

That is where Kuminga could become a priority. The talented forward entered free agency after the Atlanta Hawks declined his $24.3 million team option, making him one of the biggest available names on the market.

If the Cavs succeed in signing Kuminga, it would immediately soften the disappointment of missing out on LeBron while adding another young, athletic piece capable of contributing on both ends of the floor.

The core issue, as Barkley put it, is that “the number one knock on LeBron for older guys like myself has always been, ‘Yo, man, you always stacking your team.’” He argued that jumping to another loaded roster simply adds fuel to a long-standing critique.

“He stacked in Miami,” Barkley noted, adding that LeBron did the exact same thing in Cleveland and Los Angeles before bringing that approach to Philly. Because of that choice, Barkley made clear that he intends to keep “the same criticism I’ve always had.”

Barkley contextualizes where James ranks among the Greats

When evaluating where LeBron ranks among all-time greats, Barkley placed him right behind Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, expressing frustration that fans treat any alternate opinion like pure “blasphemy.”

He pointed out that Jordan earned his legendary status by taking beatings from the Pistons and Celtics before vowing to get “bigger, stronger, faster” to conquer them directly.

Beyond the basketball debate, Barkley was visibly irritated by the timing of the announcement, complaining that the media ruined his planned golf trip and forced him to turn around and work on a Friday just because “this doofus had to make his announcement.”

The ultimate challenge for James

Despite all the heavy criticism, Barkley left the door open for LeBron to completely rewrite the record books if this Philadelphia experiment yields historic results: “If he wins back-to-back championships and walks away this thing at 44, 45 – I’ll say something I ain’ain’t never said before. I think I just saw the greatest basketball player ever.”

“LeBron is a ring chaser, he’s the ultimate ring chaser. It’s just pathetic,” Parker said on The Odd Couple show. The former Lakers star hasn’t won a title since 2020, a dry spell extending nearly six years for a player considered capable of adapting to any roster.

Parker’s critique might hold weight given LeBron’s history of changing teams, even if he hasn’t moved around as much as other players who struggled to win championships. Still, given his stature, James is always going to face a harsher spotlight.

Danny Green weighs in

Adding to the criticism is Danny Green, who recently stated on NBA Courtside that a championship in Philadelphia wouldn’t elevate James to GOAT status. Green challenged the idea that James automatically turns any roster into a title favorite just by showing up.

Green argued that if James wins a title with Philadelphia as a third or fourth option, it shouldn’t count toward his historic GOAT debate with Michael Jordan. Even if he remains a prominent figure on the 76ers’ roster, taking a back seat behind other stars detracts from his overall legacy.

LeBron would still start and play heavy minutes, but he’d take a back seat on offense behind main stars like Embiid and Maxey. Instead of being the team’s primary scorer and decision-maker, he’d take fewer shots and focus on playmaking or spot-up shooting, meaning he wouldn’t be the main driver carrying the team to a ring.

How can LeBron be the primary option?

To remain a primary option, LeBron would need to stay on a team built specifically around him rather than joining a roster with established, prime superstars like Embiid. He’d have to keep commanding high ball-usage as the main floor general, taking control of late-game possessions to out-produce his teammates when games are on the line.

According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, the Lakers view Bronny James as a core part of the team and have absolutely no motivation to trade him elsewhere. Likewise, Bronny has no plans to request a trade to the 76ers to be reunited with his father.

That stance was always the right move for both parties. First, Bronny has developed into a legitimate NBA player as his own man. Second, it further reaffirms the Lakers’ belief in him as a player rather than just an accessory to keep LeBron content.

How Bronny has performed

Last season—his second in the NBA—Bronny took on a larger role in the Lakers’ rotation, even earning regular minutes during the team’s first-round playoff series victory over the Houston Rockets.

He appeared in 42 total games, averaging a little over eight minutes per contest. Selected No. 55 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, he averaged 2.9 points and 1.2 assists while shooting 40.9% from the field, 38.6% from three-point range, and 85.7% from the free-throw line.

Bronny also saw significant action in the G League with the Lakers’ affiliate in South Bay. It remains unknown whether he will play there in the upcoming season, but he must no longer depend solely on his father as he begins carving out his own path in the NBA.

A complicated outlook for Bronny

Bronny was the No. 55 pick in the 2024 draft after spending one season at the University of Southern California. He has two years remaining on his contract, with the 2027-28 NBA campaign operating as a team option.

However, the Lakers currently possess deep guard depth, featuring Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Jaden Hardy, Matisse Thybulle, and rookie Cameron Carr—all capable of manning either backcourt spot. That crowded rotation will make it very difficult for the younger James to secure playing time or prove that he deserves a spot on the floor.