Shams Charania: NBA Christmas Day 2026 on ABC and ESPN: - Spurs @ Knicks - Heat @ Celtics - 76ers @ Lakers - Thunder @ Timberwolves - Nuggets @ Warriors
More on LeBron James: Recent HoopsHype Rumors
Los Angeles’ late push to keep LeBron James around seemed to indicate that it felt it may have messed up when it came to its relationship with the future Hall of Famer, but O’Neal doesn’t see it that way, instead suggesting that this is simply what the business side of the NBA looks like. “No, it’s what we call the business of basketball,” O’Neal told Heavy on Lakers. “When you get older, and you’re still playing at a high level, you’re still trying to demand high money; sometimes as a franchise you have to say, ‘Do I want to pay this guy this much money for the next two years, or do I wanna
go get younger?’ I knew when they brought in Luka Doncic, they were looking to start over.” — 8/10/2026 Heavy.com
Shaquille O'Neal has been a staunch defender of LeBron James' move from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason, squashing any criticism of NBA's all-time leading scorer being a ring-chaser. "The man is not chasing rings. The man has already gotten rings the right way," O'Neal told FTW and USA TODAY Sports. "Towards the end of your career, if you could join up and help somebody else get a ring and continue to get rings, I call it ring continuancy." But one thing the Lakers legend won't do is sugar-coat James' time with the purple and gold. One championship was good, but it wasn't good enough to put him at the big table with past Lakers champions. "The good thing for LeBron, he did win one," Shaq said. "But you know, Kareem got six, Magic got five, Kobe got five, I got four, Rambis got three. So you know, he's at the party, but he's not on stage." — 8/9/2026 For The Win
Oh No He Didn't: Sixers president Mike Gansey on what role LeBron James will have: "LeBron's a connector. That's the one thing about him. He fits every role you possibly can. He's gonna elevate everyone in the whole building." — 8/8/2026 x.com
Oh No He Didn't: Sixers president Mike Gansey on Joel Embiid fitting in with LBJ: "When LeBron was maybe a possibility, I went back and watched some of the Olympic tape with him and LeBron. Those two played pretty well together. We have so many different options. Any given night anyone can be the guy. So I think once we get clicking and get gelling, it's gonna be fun to watch" — 8/8/2026 x.com
Oh No He Didn't: Sixers president Mike Gansey on signing LeBron James: "Without getting Jaylen, I don't think we get LeBron. Obviously Jaylen's one of the best players in the league and to get him onto the roster with Tyrese, with VJ, with Joel, and then some of the free agents we got, obviously before all this it changed the game for us. We just said, hey, let's try to put a full court press: everyone reach out, sell him on Philly. I think if he comes he could be the missing piece and we could be really good" — 8/8/2026 x.com
Los Angeles’ late push to keep James around seemed to indicate that it felt it may have messed up when it came to its relationship with the future Hall of Famer, but O’Neal doesn’t see it that way, instead suggesting that this is simply what the business side of the NBA looks like. “No, it’s what we call the business of basketball,” O’Neal told Heavy on Lakers. “When you get older, and you’re still playing at a high level, you’re still trying to demand high money; sometimes as a franchise you have to say, ‘Do I want to pay this guy this much money for the next two years, or do I wanna go get younger?’ I knew when they brought in Luka Doncic, they were looking to start over.” — 8/8/2026 Heavy.com
Legion Hoops: VJ Edgecombe on his FaceTime call with LeBron James: “I was in disbelief, but I had to act cool. I had to act like I’d been there before. I’m on the phone all cool and stuff. My headphones on, I’m playing the game. Had to act all cool, but it’s really Bron. I was really geekin’ I ain’t gone lie.” (via @overtime) — 8/8/2026 x.com
Sam Amico: NBA GM: “He’s still LeBron James, or still has moments where he’ll remind you he was once LeBron. But this is gonna be the chapter where we watch him and say that he stuck around too long. Someday we’ll ask, ‘Remember when LeBron played for Sixers?’ and laugh.” Eddie A Johnson: Funny he saying that in his 23 season. When usually you saying that in someone’s 14th or 15th season. So this genius waited 8 more years to make this prediction after he averaged 24-7-7 in a first round win a few moths ago. He is wishing! — 8/7/2026 x.com
The Sixers are already at roster capacity after signing another one of James' former teammates, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, to their last spot. And they already have two backup centers behind Joel Embiid in 23-year-old Adem Bona and 24-year-old Ariel Hukporti. Philly would need to make a move to accommodate the 38-year-old Love, who averaged 6.7 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 37.3% from 3 off the bench for the Jazz last season. Though Love has interest in pairing with James to pursue a championship, he has maintained a strong relationship with Jazz coach Will Hardy, serving as a veteran voice with that young group, sources said. Utah, however, also has a full roster. — 8/7/2026 ESPN
Dave McMenamin: Kevin Love's agent, Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management, has been in touch with the Philadelphia 76ers' front office since James picked Philadelphia, sources told ESPN. Though the 6-foot-10 Love and James have remained close since teaming up for four seasons with the Cavaliers and even vacationed extensively together this summer, that bond doesn't necessarily mean there will be a roster spot for the former five-time All-Star by training camp. — 8/7/2026 ESPN
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: LeBron James, Sixers to face Lakers in LA on Christmas Day
