# LeBron joins 76ers to help Embiid win first title

> LeBron James explains his decision to sign with Philadelphia, citing Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown trade, and Joel Embiid's championship quest.
- Title: LeBron joins 76ers to help Embiid win first title · CBS Sports
- Summary: LeBron James explains his decision to sign with Philadelphia, citing Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown trade, and Joel Embiid's championship quest. LeBron chose the…
- Keywords: lebron james, philadelphia 76ers, joel embiid, tyrese maxey, jaylen brown, nba free agency, championship pursuit, 2026 season, mike gansey, sports, LeBron, joins
- Source: CBS Sports — https://cbssports.com/nba/news/lebron-james-reasons-76ers-joel-embiid-jaylen-brown-tyrese-maxey
- Published: 2026-09-25T17:45:27+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: lebron james, philadelphia 76ers, joel embiid, tyrese maxey, jaylen brown, nba free agency, championship pursuit, 2026 season, mike gansey, sports
## LeBron joins the 76ers
LeBron James signed with Philadelphia after leaving the Lakers, joining Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and VJ Edgecombe in what could be one of the league's most talented rosters.
## Maxey's personal connection
LeBron cited his relationship with Tyrese Maxey as a primary reason for joining the 76ers, praising the young guard's character and noting that Maxey was one of the first to call him after he became a free agent.

> Every day you get the same person, and that is very rare in sports and super rare in life.
## Brown trade was the catalyst
The acquisition of Jaylen Brown surprised the league and transformed Philadelphia into a legitimate contender. LeBron praised Brown's two-way game and said the trade made him seriously consider joining the 76ers.

> I think people saw that something was going to happen there, but I don't think anybody thought it would be Philly.
## Embiid's championship drought
LeBron's main motivation is helping Joel Embiid win his first NBA title. Embiid has achieved MVP status, gold medals and All-Star selections, but has never won a championship despite carrying Philadelphia for over a decade.

> He's done everything in our league and the only thing he has not done is win a championship.
## Kindred spirits in burden
LeBron sees himself in Embiid, understanding what it means to carry a city's championship hopes. He delivered Cleveland's title in 2016 and now wants to help Embiid achieve the same in Philadelphia.
## Unlocking Embiid's potential
LeBron believes he can help Embiid prepare better for deep playoff runs by sharing what it takes daily to win a championship. Health has been Embiid's biggest challenge, and LeBron thinks he can help him manage that.
## Philly's 43-year title drought
Philadelphia hasn't won an NBA championship since 1983. LeBron was reportedly ready to sign with the Knicks if they hadn't won last year, but shifted focus to the 76ers and their desperate need for a title.
## The final puzzle piece
LeBron hopes to be the missing element that pushes the 76ers over the top. With Maxey, Brown and Embiid already in place, the roster is now built to compete for a championship immediately.
## Key takeaway

LeBron chose the 76ers primarily to help Joel Embiid win his first championship, viewing him as a kindred spirit carrying the weight of a city.