*This content was translated by AI.
Known as the 'King', LeBron James (41, Philadelphia 76ers), widely regarded alongside basketball legend Michael Jordan as one of the greatest players in NBA history, has become the league's most cost-effective player. Even in the United States, reactions to his unbelievable contract size remain filled with surprise.
On the 27th (Korean time), The Wall Street Journal highlighted LeBron's move to the Philadelphia 76ers, stating it "could be the best bargain contract in NBA history."
The outlet noted, "Throughout his 23 seasons in the NBA, LeBron has been both a hero and a villain, a savior and a traitor. He was the most anticipated high school prospect in history and has now become a figure worthy of being considered the greatest player ever."
It continued, "However, there is one expression that has never fit LeBron until now: 'a cheap player.' At least, not until now," emphasizing the unprecedented deal Philadelphia secured.
LeBron officially announced his move to Philadelphia via his social media (SNS) on the 25th. Earlier last month, he declared he would not re-sign with his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers, earning free agent (FA) status for the first time since 2018.
Following this, multiple teams entered the race to sign LeBron. His former teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, along with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors, were among the candidates mentioned.
LeBron's final choice was Philadelphia. Explaining his decision, he said, "This is my final decision. I am not going for money or for my family." He added, "At this point in my career, I have been asking myself, 'What do I truly play for?'"
He further stated, "I still want to sacrifice and continue training and dedicating myself. I want another chance to compete, win, and feel the thrill of a championship again."
The biggest reason for choosing Philadelphia was the possibility of winning a title. LeBron said, "I believe I can help make Philadelphia a championship team. I am very excited to bring energy to new fans and start the final chapter of this incredible journey."
In fact, LeBron sacrificed a massive salary to pursue a championship. According to ESPN in the United States, LeBron signed a two-year deal worth $8 million (approximately 12 billion won) with Philadelphia. The contract reportedly includes a player option for the second year. The average annual value is only about $40 thousand won (approximately 6 billion won).
Last season, LeBron earned over $50 million (approximately 73 billion won) with the Lakers. By donning the Philadelphia jersey, he gave up approximately 67 billion won in salary. This demonstrates that near the end of his career, LeBron's sole goal is a championship.
The Wall Street Journal compared LeBron's earnings for the new season to those of DeAndre Jordan (New Orleans Pelicans), a third-string center who played only 12 games last season, stating he will receive "the same money."
Born in 1988, veteran DeAndre Jordan was once a top-tier center in his prime but could not overcome the effects of age. Last season, due to fierce competition and frequent injuries, he played only 12 games.
However, LeBron is different. His skills remain sharp even for the 2025–2026 season. Playing 60 regular-season games with the Lakers, he averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds. Despite being well past his prime, he continues to demonstrate top-tier competitiveness that defies belief for a veteran over 40.
The Wall Street Journal reported, "When Philadelphia surprised the world by signing LeBron, they did not just acquire one of the greatest players in history. They brought him in at an unbelievably low price."
As a result, Philadelphia has added a superstar capable of averaging over 20 points without significantly increasing their salary cap burden. While this is a radical sacrifice for LeBron personally, it represents an "enormous windfall" that will go down in NBA history for Philadelphia.
Philadelphia had not reached the NBA summit since 1983, a span of 43 years. However, with LeBron's arrival, they have instantly become a strong championship contender.
Philadelphia already has Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey anchoring the team. With the recent addition of Jaylen Brown alongside LeBron, the team has assembled an all-star lineup of league-level players, creating a new "super team."
Over his 23-season career, LeBron has played in the most regular-season games in NBA history: 1,622. He has accumulated a total of 43,440 points, placing him atop the all-time scoring list.
He has won the regular season Most Valuable Player (MVP) award four Cha Rye (수상) times and has claimed both the NBA championship and Finals MVP each four times. His career regular-season averages are 26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists.
A player with the most dazzling career in NBA history is now competing for his final championship on the league's lowest salary level.
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*This content was translated by AI.
