LeBron James wound up in Philadelphia, and Kenny Atkinson still sounds like a man who thought Cleveland had it wrapped up.
The Cavaliers head coach didn’t hide what James’ free-agency choice did to him after the 41-year-old decided to spend the final years of his career with the 76ers. Atkinson said the Cavs had been expecting to land James before the deal went in another direction.
“We were anticipating and excited to land LeBron and then you have that news, having gone through free agency a lot, when you're expecting something to happen and it doesn't happen, that first day or two, you're just like, you're depressed, quite honestly. That's the emotions of it,” Atkinson told the media.
That reaction lines up with how much buzz surrounded James’ decision this summer. He was one of only about six teams he seriously considered, and Philadelphia was one of them. In the end, he chose the 76ers, announcing that he would finish his career there.
“LeBron James is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers for his final run at another NBA championship, he announced Friday," ESPN's Dave McMenamin wrote. "James, 41, is signing a two-year, $8 million contract with a player option, Klutch Sports Group CEO Rich Paul told ESPN's Shams Charania."
Bill Simmons has also suggested that James was supposed to end up in Cleveland, saying something may have gone off the rails before the decision became official.
“It was the decision he thought he could make to try to win a title. I don't think there's any other reason he went to [Philly].
It's not like, 'I've always wanted to play for the Sixers.' Listen, he was going to [the Cleveland Cavaliers].
I don’t know what happened. I can’t wait for the story.
Something happened,” Simmons said.
James’ move to Philadelphia gave him what looks like a real shot at another title at this stage of his career. It also left Cleveland on the outside looking in, even after the Cavaliers believed they were in position to bring him home.
The timing made Thursday night sting even more for the Cavs, with the 76ers pulling off a historic comeback against Cleveland. For Philadelphia, it may have been the finishing touch on what is expected to be a strong roster. For Atkinson, it was a reminder of just how close the Cavaliers thought they were to landing one of the league’s biggest names.
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