Patrick Beverley didn’t waste time giving LeBron James a piece of his mind after the superstar’s move to the Philadelphia 76ers.
James, who left the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent, picked Philadelphia over a long list of possible landing spots that included the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves. He signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the 76ers in July 2026, but multiple reports say he won’t actually live in Philadelphia. Instead, he’s expected to commute by helicopter from New York City or New Jersey, a trip that could take about 45 minutes.
That’s where Beverley stepped in with advice rooted in his own time with the team. The former 76ers guard played 47 games for Philadelphia during the 2023-24 season before being traded to Milwaukee midseason, and he made it clear he thinks James should rethink the plan.
“I ain’t going to front. I know it’s mixed stories and we don’t never know what Bron’s doing, but my time there I lived in Old City, you feel me?
Like I lived in Old City. I lived in Philly.
The love I got in Philly was some of the best love I’ve ever experienced my entire career in the NBA. The city of brotherly love.
No wrong.”
He followed that up with a simple pitch for living in the city and soaking in the atmosphere that comes with it.
“You would appreciate it more living in Philly and you got to bring what they want. Philly is know for like having it’s players backs.
One thing about Philly I’ve noticed too, they know the game of basketball. They’re not just like fans that just they don’t come late.
It ain’t going to be the LA vibes. It’s going to be they going to be there during warmups.”
Beverley’s point was clear: James could be missing out on something bigger than just a commute. The move is already creating ripple effects off the court, too.
According to Realest founder and CEO Scott Keeney, memorabilia tied to James’ expected path has started to pick up value after it became clear he would not be heading back to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“I think it does. I think it brings awareness to to the entire landscape.
It's a new jersey that he has. It also, uh, you know, for historical items, right?
There people thought he might go back to other teams like the Cavs. There's not going to be any more Cavs LeBron jerseys.”
He added, “So, um, that's probably where he will be remembered. So we think for Cavs Memorabilia specifically, who are one of our clients, but we think for them and actually is a is a is a big, big boom. Um, just because now we know that everything out there is finite.”
James remains one of the biggest names in the NBA, and his arrival in Philadelphia is already driving plenty of conversation.
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