LeBron James signs multi-year deal with the 76ers

LeBron James signed a two-year deal worth about $7.9 million with Philadelphia, ending eight seasons with the Lakers, his longest run with any franchise. Lakers executive Rob Pelinka called that stretch "a great era."

On the Mind the Game podcast with Steve Nash, James said his bond with Tyrese Maxey, who shares his agent Rich Paul, made Philadelphia a real option even before the Jaylen Brown trade from Boston.

He also cited Joel Embiid, saying he wants to help the center win a title, and said his goal is contending rather than just making the playoffs.

James told ESPN's Dave McMenamin he once pictured finishing his career with the Knicks, but dropped that idea after New York won last season's title, saying the backlash from joining a champion would be too much.

Most pundits had instead expected him to land in Miami, Cleveland or Golden State.