​LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) GettyLeBron James kept the NBA world waiting following the star’s public exit from the Los Angeles Lakers. In the end, James did something the star appeared unwilling to do during his Lakers tenure.James signed a two-year, $7.9 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers and will play for the veteran minimum during the 2026-27 NBA season. By comparison, James had an average annual salary of more than $50 million with the Lakers.The NBA legend was on a two-year, $101.3 million deal with the Lakers. It is clearly more challenging for a franchise to build a roster around James with a $50 million salary compared to what the Sixers are able to do with the star playing on a team-friendly deal.For whatever reason, James appeared unwilling to take this same kind of pay cut with the Lakers. Prior to joining the 76ers, James also kicked the tires on other franchises but found two teams with superstars who did not appear eager to recruit the NBA legend.Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor reported that neither New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson or Miami Heat star Giannis Antetokounmpo recruited James. In the end, James opted to sign with the Sixers with stars like Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid all recruiting the icon to make the move to Philadelphia.Let’s dive into the latest NBA rumors and news.Lakers News: Knicks Star Jalen Brunson Did Not Want LeBron James to Join New York, Says InsiderNot only did Brunson not recruit James, but it appears that the Knicks star was against the superstar joining the New York squad. This contrasted from the Sixers stars’ approach who were actively communicating with James throughout NBA free agency.“The Knicks winning removed New York from the conversation for LeBron James,” O’Connor explained on a July 24, 2026, edition of “The Kevin O’Connor Show.” “Jalen Brunson did not recruit LeBron. Jalen Brunson did not want LeBron James in New York, according to my sources.“Whereas Philadelphia, (Tyrese) Maxey, (Joel) Embiid, Jaylen Brown, these guys were on the phone with LeBron James,” O’Connor added.“Recruiting him, texting him, telling him how much they wanted him to be there, which is why I think what the questions about this fit with these guys together are perfectly fair. All these guys together are going to have to sacrifice in ways that they truly never have before.”LeBron James Rumors: Heat Star Giannis Antetokounmpo Did Not Recruit LeBron James to Sign With MiamiIt may seem harsh, but it