How the Sixers found out LeBron James chose them – and how his arrival 'raises the standard'

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Here is how the Sixers learned they got LeBron James – and how his arrival has changed the franchise. By Adam Aaronson PhillyVoice Staff Sixers NBA Colleen Claggett/For PhillyVoice LeBron James' free agency decision shocked the Sixers as much as anyone else. Read More CHICAGO – On July 24, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., about 20 Sixers employees spanning all branches of the organization worked to finalize plans on a Microsoft Teams call. Representatives from basketball operations, communications, marketing, social media, player engagement, security and ticket sales had convened to discuss Jaylen Brown's upcoming introductory press conference. Suddenly, one communications executive unmuted their microphone to deliver news that would change all of their lives. "LeBron James is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers." Typically, even with a move as significant and shocking as the trade the Sixers swung with the Boston Celtics three weeks prior to land Brown, whispers of the deal circulate around the organization before it comes together. But James famously kept his intentions under wraps over the course of what may have been his final free agency. The Sixers felt like they were contenders to sign James, but even they couldn't have known that they were about to punctuate a dream offseason by signing the NBA's all-time leading scorer. "It wasn't celebration," Dave Sholler, Chief Communications Officer of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, said. "It was almost a bit of awe, a little bit of shock. And then about 90 seconds after the post hits and it marinates, everyone starts getting fired up." Most within the Sixers were still trying to process that Brown, a rival of 10 years, was now going to be wearing their uniform. That James would be, too, provided an even greater shock. At about 11:35 a.m., Sholler logged off the meeting. He took a call from new Sixers President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey, whose first transaction cycle as a lead executive had turned into a grand slam. He had not just acquired arguably the best basketball player of all time, but he had done so without sacrificing any spending power, as James agreed to sign a veteran's minimum contract. On top of adding a terrific player, Gansey added someone that everybody else in the organization could take cues from. "He elevates everything," Sholler said. "...And when you see him every day putting in the work, whether it's his strength and conditioning, whether it's his prehab, whether it's his recovery, whether it's the shots he gets up, whether it's getting to the gym before just about anybody else in the facility, you see how he's been able to do it nearly 42 years now. And that raises the standard for everybody just by presence, just by osmosis." LeBron James' passing was essential to the Sixers' 29-point comeback in Thursday's home opener: pic.twitter.com/yxfHrtb4CU — Adam Aaronson's clips (@SixersAdamClips) October 23, 2026 Gansey was part of a small group of people to hear the news a few minutes earlier via text from Rich Paul, James' agent and the CEO of Klutch Sports, moments before the rest of the world learned online. Before Sholler could finish getting up to speed with Gansey so he could begin meeting with James' camp, his Brigantine neighbor started banging on his door. "Is it true?" "We got him," Sholler mouthed. Prosper Karangwa was in Albany, driving to Siena University. He once played college basketball there, and now it is where his eight-year-old son goes to basketball camp over the summer. Karangwa's son described euphoria at the camp when the news broke. "LeBron is his GOAT," Karangwa said. "So that kind of excitement, to get to share that with my son, who's a big huge, huge basketball fan, was pretty cool... They know what I do. So everyone was jumping around like, 'Oh, your dad's team got LeBron.' It was incredible." Karangwa's phone blew up, and given his international ties, he was hearing from people all over the globe. "I got more text messages for when he decided than when I got the job," he said, with those texts coming from anywhere from Canada to Europe to Africa. Karangwa, in his seventh year with the Sixers – he was promoted to Assistant General Manager & Vice President of Player Personnel over the summer after being courted by other teams – has had significant influence over the team's crop of young depth pieces. He believes James' presence has already set a strong tone for those youngsters. " It is incredible, his thought process and the way he views the game. So you hope these guys absorb it and listen and learn. But the biggest thing too is — because most guys, to get to this level, they've been really good workers. They've dedicated their lives to this sport. Once you realize there's another level of work and then after this level, there's a whole other level to get to the level of professionalism and attention to detail and commitment, day in and day out, that LeBron has had. You just hope that it rubs off on everyone – players, staff, everyone. Especially for the young guys to see this level of commitment this early in your career is really impressive and so positive." – Prosper Karangwa Confidence in the direction of the Sixers had waned over the last two-plus years. Injuries piled up and so did questions. Every Sixers executive agreed that those recent trials and tribulations made the summer's fireworks all the more gratifying. "I think the reality of it is any moment you get a player of the caliber of LeBron – or JB – it changes the perspective of the organization and everyone that's involved," Karangwa said. "But the most rewarding thing for me, honestly, has been just for our fan base to be able to experience this as well… The level of excitement around the team and his arrival and JB's arrival has been pretty cool to see. But the impact is real, right? Like, those guys have a way to change their people's view on a team pretty quickly." MORE : How LeBron is making Joel Embiid's life easier Sixers rookie Labaron Philon Jr. and his brother woke up in Miami and turned on ESPN. When the Sixers drafted Philon, their team was built around Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George. In a month and a day, the roster had totally transformed. The George-for-Brown trade was done. When Philon and his brother turned their television on, they found out James was coming to Philadelphia, too. "You get to be around somebody that good," Philon said, "that can help you with things as a young player." Most NBA rookies do not get to learn from the most tenured player in league history. Most NBA rookies do not play on the most significant national attraction in the league. Most NBA rookies do not share a locker room with stars at every single position. How has Philon approached it so far? "P icking up the things that they do and the things that they have in their routine and how they go about their day," Philon said. "Learning