LeBron James ended his long-awaited free agency frenzy by choosing to play for the Philadelphia 76ers.
James’ decision caught many off guard, but the 76ers’ new-look lineup has a chance at winning the NBA Finals, especially after acquiring Jaylen Brown in a trade with the Boston Celtics earlier in the offseason.
During an episode of the NFL’s “Hard Knocks”, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, who is fresh off a Super Bowl win, opened up on James’ decision.
“I hate how people are hating on him for going to a good team… he’s 42,” Darnold said. “He can go wherever he wants… any free agent ever would be like, ‘yeah, I wanna go play for a championship.'”
Sam Darnold and @CooperKupp are fans of @KingJames' move to the @sixers 👀
— NFL (@NFL) August 5, 2026
Watch the first episode of Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the @Seahawks now on @hbomax pic.twitter.com/SrIVtb8a5s
Darnold was the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, but he had a rough time with the New York Jets before being let go and then spending time with the Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings.
In 2025, Darnold inked a massive three-year, $100.5 million deal with the Seahawks, and he was instrumental in leading Seattle to the Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots.
As for LeBron James, he reportedly was even offered $20 million by the Los Angeles Clippers, but he signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the 76ers in hopes of winning another NBA title.
