LeBron, Joel Embiid Reportedly Had 'Multiple Lengthy Conversations' Before 76ers Contract
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LeBron, Joel Embiid Reportedly Had 'Multiple Lengthy Conversations' Before 76ers Contract
\Julia Stumbaugh](/content/writers/julia-stumbaugh/index.html)
Sep 25, 2026
LeBron James reportedly had several "lengthy" talks with Joel Embiid before deciding to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
"I was told that there was multiple lengthy conversations in the leadup to LeBron deciding to pick the Philadelphia 76ers," McMenamin said Friday on NBA Today (2:20 mark of the video below). "They've talked about all sorts of things. Lineup combinations. What they like, what they don't like."
LeBron James is INVESTED in Joel Embiid's success...but availability remains in question | NBA Today - YouTube
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McMenamin's Comments and LeBron's Perspective
McMenamin's comments came the same day James publicly discussed his free agency decision for the first time on Friday's episode of Mind the Game with Steve Nash.
When asked what led him to decide to sign with the Sixers, James cited his friendship with Tyrese Maxey and the Sixers' signing of Jaylen Brown before describing Embiid as "one of the most important" factors.
"He's done everything in our league, and only thing he has not done, that's win a championship," James said about Embiid. "And I want to try and help him get that first one."
Embiid isn't the only Sixers star James spoke with before making his free agency decision. Maxey confirmed last month he and James had exchanged "a couple" phone calls and texts before the NBA's all-time leading scorer signed in Philadelphia.
James will now prepare to start his first training camp with the Sixers Tuesday before potentially making his regular-season debut for Philadelphia in an Oct. 20 season opener against the reigning champion New York Knicks.