LeBron’s last stop, plus Mahomes cleared to practice
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Good morning! Congrats or sorry about yesterday’s big news. Inside:
LeBron: Finally, a King for Philly to accept
The sports world revolves around Philadelphia this morning.
LeBron James, the NBA’s 41-year-old all-time leading scorer, announced yesterday he’ll join the 76ers on a two-year, $8 million deal that represents the endgame of his career.
“This is my last decision,” James wrote on social media. “I’m not going for money. I’m not going for family … I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship.” It’s hard to doubt any of that; James is signing for a fraction of what he could’ve made — what he has made for decades — with an entirely new franchise. No Heat, no Cavaliers, just the closing chapter of his career in a city where he has little history.
Even at this stage in LeBron’s career, it’s a “remember where you were” moment. I asked John Hollinger what word first came to his mind when he got the news. He answered: “Really?” He understood the move but figured James was ticketed for Miami or Cleveland. Zach Harper, author of our free NBA newsletter, told me he had the natural first thought: “cheesesteaks.”
To recap: The Sixers already had one of the NBA’s most talented backcourts in Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, with Joel Embiid (ideally healthy) playing in front of them. Paul George is gone, but Jaylen Brown is here in return, and now so is James. Pretty good starting five, and one with which James shares some overlapping histories.
Are the Sixers now a title contender? “Absolutely,” Harper says. “They’ll need a healthy Embiid to get through New York, but you have LeBron and Brown with something to prove by making the Sixers a champion.” Philly won the last of its three titles in 1983, behind an MVP season from Moses Malone.
It’s an overwhelming move, so we’re covering it in overwhelming fashion. Read up:
Here’s a live feed on the story.
News to Know
Ed Zurga / Associated Press
Mahomes cleared for full practice
Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL in mid-December and here it is July and he’s cleared to fully participate in Chiefs’ training camp. Seriously remarkable. Will he be a Week 1 starter? Coach Andy Reid wasn’t ready to guarantee that just yet. But it’s nice to know that Mahomes — who says he’s stronger than before — is on track with his ambitious schedule. ICYMI: Jesse Newell had a great analysis of whether the Chiefs were simply cursed during a 6-11 season in which they actually outscored their opponents.
More News
- Former Cowboys quarterback and lead CBS analyst Tony Romo was arrested on suspicion of intoxicated driving in Milwaukee, after spending the week playing golf in the Wisconsin Amateur Championship.
- President Donald Trump wondered if LeBron James is “a racist” when he was asked to choose between James and Michael Jordan as the best player ever. Full story here.
- The International Olympic Committee says it’s not going to investigate whether FIFA president and IOC member Gianni Infantino was involved in suspending U.S. forward Folarin Balogun’s one-match ban in the World Cup. More here.
- Three-time All-Pro wideout DeAndre Hopkins hasn’t decided to retire from playing, but he’s starting training camp with the Patriots in an advisory role.
- New Germany men’s soccer team head coach Jurgen Klopp warned media during his introductory press conference that if they “behave badly” he will leave the job. Some interesting comments here.
📰 Find more news here 24/7.
Watch Guide
📺 AUSL Championship, Game 1
Utah Talons vs. Chicago Bandits
1 p.m. ET on ABC
A title rematch in the MLB-backed softball league’s second season. Chicago got its shot at revenge by winning the play-in on an 11th-inning walk-off single from Ailana Agbayani, daughter of Mets cult hero Benny. Series is best of 3.
📺 WNBA All-Star Game
8:30 p.m. ET on ABC
Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers headline the rosters led by W legends Teresa Weatherspoon and Cynthia Cooper, respectively. Full team info here.
Get tickets to games like this here.
Pulse Picks
Angelina Katsanis / Getty Images
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has led the league into its most successful era by almost every measure … so why is she booed and heckled at league events? This is a fascinating read about her strained relationship with players and still-uncertain future.
In honor of LeBron James becoming a Sixer, he should go to my favorite Philly restaurant, Barbuzzo. — Chris Branch
A young player for Huddersfield in England’s third tier of pro soccer has gotten millions of views on social media for, of all things, a throw-in. Fun story here about why even top teams are beginning to prize heaves like this one.
Shaboozey and Leon Bridges are each releasing new albums this summer — and collaborated on a lowkey moody but fun track called “Burn It Down” for Shaboozey’s cinematically inspired project “The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales” that drops next Friday. The blend of classic country twang and pop production we’re used to hearing from Shaboozey mixed with Bridges’ soulful vocals feels like a uniquely comprehensive snapshot of what Americana sounds like in 2026. Just as good on a drive with the windows rolled down as it is dancing — at home or in a bar. — Katie Richcreek
Don’t miss the sixth annual edition of college football’s All-Geezer team, including a few players who began their careers in the 2010s! 🦕
If you saw a supplement or a diet tip from someone on Instagram in the last year — and, isn’t that all of us? — there’s a very real chance that person was completely fake. Totally fake person. AI. Dude, it’s WILD. — Chris Sprow
A great frozen pizza can bring wonder and convenience. I, alongside my fellow kitchen experts at Wirecutter, have taste-tested 53 over the years and discovered the best ones, including a deep-dish delicacy and a genuinely delicious gluten-free option. — Mace Dent Johnson
Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday: Jayson Stark’s full list of active MLB players making the best Hall of Fame cases.
📫 That’s all for now! Say hello at thepulse@theathletic.com, and check out our other newsletters.