LeBron James is not ready to put a timeline on the end of his NBA career, but the 41-year-old made one thing clear Monday as he began his record-extending 24th season: He did not join the Philadelphia 76ers simply to add another chapter to his resume.
James, appearing in a 76ers uniform for the first time at the team's media day in Camden, New Jersey, declined to speculate about retirement and said he is focused on making the most of the present as he begins his first season in Philadelphia.
"I'm not going to speak to the future right now; I'd be doing myself a disservice," James said. "I'm just living in the moment, especially knowing where I am in my career."
James signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the 76ers this summer after spending his previous eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. The deal followed a final Lakers season in which he earned $52.6 million, making the move the biggest pay cut in NBA history.
Rather than dwelling on what comes next, James said he wants to concentrate on what he can contribute to a Philadelphia team that has championship expectations.
"I'm more in the present now, understanding that I'm in year 24," he said. "I just like being in the moment, and we'll see what happens."
James was in a playful mood as he took his seat for his first Philadelphia media day, even removing his name card from the table before joking with reporters.
"You guys know who I am, right?" he said with a smile while wearing a blue No. 23 jersey bearing "PHILA" across the front.
The tone became more serious when James discussed why he chose Philadelphia. The 76ers finished 45-37 last season before being swept by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks in the second round, and they have not won an NBA championship since 1983.
James expects that standard to change.
"I didn't leave my family to lose in the second round," he said. "I know that for sure. Work needs to be done, and I'm ready to get to work."
Philadelphia enters the season with a roster built around an abundance of star power. The 76ers added James and Jaylen Brown while retaining Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, and also brought in Anfernee Simons. Rising young talent V.J. Edgecombe adds another piece to a group facing enormous expectations before training camp even begins.
James, however, cautioned that talent alone will not make the team a contender.
"It's going to take time," he said. "I think people, sometimes they don't really want to work, and everyone wants like instant oatmeal."
The veteran understands the demands of integrating several players accustomed to being major offensive contributors. James, Embiid, Maxey and Simons have all carried significant scoring responsibilities during their careers, while Brown averaged 28.7 points last season and was fourth in the NBA in scoring.
James said he is prepared to adapt to whatever Philadelphia needs from him.
"Whatever the team needs me to do," he said. "The luxury of my game is that I can do everything. Literally. I can do everything."
Coach Nick Nurse described James as an "offensive creator," a role that could allow the four-time champion to influence the game without necessarily carrying the same workload he had during earlier stages of his career.
The challenge will be finding the right balance.
Simons acknowledged that the group will have to embrace sacrifice if the collection of stars is going to function as a team rather than simply look impressive on paper.
James has faced similar challenges throughout his career, having played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Lakers before joining Philadelphia. His experience has taught him that championship teams rarely develop without discomfort.
"In order for us to be great, we have to do things that are just not comfortable," James said. "We have to be comfortable being uncomfortable."
That approach, he said, will determine whether Philadelphia can turn its talent into a deep playoff run.
"If we don't do that, then we'll be like, 'Oh man, it was a great team on paper and we had a lot of great talent. And we lost in the second round.' I don't want to do that."
James enters his 24th NBA season as the league's all-time leading scorer, a four-time champion, four-time MVP and four-time Finals MVP. He has also played more NBA seasons than any player in league history.
