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By Sam Garcia
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LeBron James shocked the NBA when he announced he is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers for the 24th season of his career on Friday.
NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith quickly reacted to the news and said he was surprised James signed with the 76ers instead of returning home to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
"I thought that if he was going back East, he would go home, that he wouldn't dangle his presence, his availability in the face of the Cleveland Cavaliers and then go somewhere else. For him to choose the Philadelphia 76ers, this is a shock among shockers," Smith said on ESPN.
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Multiple teams were in the running to sign the four-time NBA champion this summer. The Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat were among the favorites to land James.
James Wants To Win An NBA Championship With the 76ers
After making nearly $53 million with the Los Angeles Lakers last season, James signed a two-year, $8 million contract with a player option with the 76ers.
James said he is not chasing a high-paying contract at this point in his career. Instead, he wants an opportunity to bring an NBA championship to another organization.
"I’m not going for money. I’m not going for family. What am I really playing for at this point? I still want to sacrifice. I still want to work. I still want to grind. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship.
"I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time," James wrote on X.
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Smith said the addition of James to an already stacked 76ers squad makes Philadelphia a top contender to win the Eastern Conference next season.
"The Philadelphia 76ers could win the championship. I think this right here puts the Philadelphia 76ers right there with the New York Knicks as the favorites in the Eastern Conference," Smith said.
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