LeBron James’ family faced difficult decision over 76ers opportunity

LeBron James had heard the pitches, studied the rosters and decided the 76ers gave him the best chance to chase another championship.

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Before he could say yes, however, he needed approval from the people whose lives would be affected most.

“The last step was getting the family all on board and talking to everyone, from Savannah, Zhuri, Bronny James, who’s playing for the Lakers, to Bryce James at Arizona,” ESPN’s Shams Charania said.

That family meeting was more than a courtesy.

James’ move to the 76ers ends an eight-year run in Los Angeles, where his family built a life that now extends well beyond his basketball career.

Bronny remains with the Lakers, Bryce is beginning his college career at Arizona and Savannah has established her own business and media projects.

Then there is Zhuri, the youngest member of the family and potentially the person facing the biggest adjustment.

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James previously revealed that he pulled his daughter aside before making his decision public. He told her he would not return to the Lakers and acknowledged that playing elsewhere would mean spending less time at home.

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“I pulled her to the side and I was like, ‘Baby, I’m letting you know. I don’t want you to hear from nobody else, but I won’t be playing for the Lakers next year. I will be playing somewhere else,’” James recalled.

“‘I won’t be home all the time. And you may not have an answer right now. You can give me an answer now. We can wait; we can write it down. I just want to know how you felt about it because you mean a lot to me. Me being away from you means a lot.’ So, the family portion is a big thing, too.”

James has always made his family part of his basketball journey. He spent years talking about his dream of playing alongside Bronny before the two finally became teammates in LA. Savannah and their children have also been present for nearly every major career milestone, including his record-breaking night as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.

Philadelphia will make that closeness harder to maintain.

James will now play across the country from Bronny, while Bryce remains in Tucson. Savannah and Zhuri have not publicly indicated whether they will relocate, creating the possibility the family keeps Los Angeles as its primary home while James lives in Philadelphia during the season.

James’ two-year, $8 million deal was ultimately about basketball happiness and one more championship opportunity.

Getting his family comfortable with the sacrifice appears to have been the final — and most important —part of the decision.

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