LeBron James' choice to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers came as a shock and proved quite painful. He needed almost a month to decide; he let the Los Angeles Lakers know on June 30 that he would not return. Yet through his statements and those close to him, the pick was straightforward.

This does not mean it failed to raise plenty of questions for James, the 76ers and the wider NBA.

Here is an effort to address as many as possible:

Why did James choose Philadelphia?

James noted he feels the 76ers offer the best shot at claiming the 2027 NBA title once he arrives. He shared this view in a post on X when revealing his move: "I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time."

It proved hard to read what Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul intended when he stated in early July that "basketball happiness" guided James' pick. It could have meant various things, yet ultimately, in James' own terms, immediate success defines his basketball happiness.

Could he have won right away with Cleveland?

An argument exists for that result. A lineup of James, Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen with the Cleveland Cavaliers would have formed a strong unit that matches what the 76ers could field with James, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid.

Again, James' statement offers clarity: "I'm not going for money. I'm not going for family. What am I really playing for at this point? I still want to sacrifice. I still want to work. I still want to grind. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning."

Money played no role, which mattered for the Cavs, who like Philly sit at the cap. Yet James' note that family carried less weight, after many guesses about what "basketball happiness" meant including a return home, clearly hurt Cleveland's chances.

If the Cavs had traded for Brown, would that have changed things?

The 76ers' move for Brown truly shifted their position. Before that trade, few expected them to rank among James' top choices, let alone land him. Had the Cavs completed a similar deal, which likely would have required a package including Mobley to draw the Boston Celtics' interest, their position would have improved.

Still, it is not accurate to claim Brown's presence alone explains the outcome.

Maxey stood out as a vital element in the 76ers' success with James. Maxey shares a strong bond with James, as both work with Klutch Sports. Joining a new squad full of strong personalities and needs, a tie to the point guard gave Philly an advantage.

Some point to Harden's role as Cleveland's point guard as a factor, yet more detail exists. It was not the Cavs having Harden that mattered, sources noted, but rather who they lacked. To acquire Harden from the LA Clippers in February, the Cavs dealt Darius Garland, a Klutch client with a long history alongside James.

Ultimately, Cleveland faced three issues: family not factoring into LeBron's choice, the front office missing a chance at Brown and the roster lacking Garland. Attributing it to one element over others overlooks the full story.

What about the Miami Heat?

In James' statement, he expressed thanks to the Lakers, as he had done earlier. He also sent notes to Cleveland and Miami: "Thank you LA. Miami I'll forever love and Northeast Ohio will always be home."

The final three teams appeared to be Cleveland, Miami and Philadelphia, as ESPN's Shams Charania reported recently. The Heat held a strong case after acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo. They also feature James' 2024 Olympic teammate, Bam Adebayo. Paul told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne on Friday that for a period he thought James would head to Miami.

The Heat, though, look a bit light after sending four young players, Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis, for Antetokounmpo and losing All-Star Norman Powell in free agency. James' emphasis on selecting the squad best set to win a title may have hurt the Heat. (Their YouTube mistake played no part.)

What about talk of James wanting teams to trade for former teammates Anthony Davis or Kyrie Irving?

Discussions with teams and players stayed mostly one-sided: James and Paul gathered details and gauged interest rather than making demands, sources said. James did perform checks by speaking with stars such as Embiid.

For instance, would the Golden State Warriors acquiring Davis have altered James' view? The Sixers' trade for Brown did, so the Warriors getting Davis might have too. Yet the Washington Wizards show no interest in moving Davis, and the Dallas Mavericks plan to keep Irving, so the idea goes nowhere.

Did James delay because he was upset at commissioner Adam Silver pushing for a decision to aid scheduling?

Sources give a clear no. Silver's remarks at Fanatics Fest in New York City last week may have slightly irked James, but they did not alter his approach.

With Sixers-Celtics, Sixers-Knicks, Sixers-Cavs, Sixers-Heat and Sixers-Lakers all potential top national TV games, the NBA and its partners have no issues with how the process unfolded. James will also play most games in the Eastern time zone, which should help viewership.

Still, Silver might think about sending James a set of his preferred golf balls.

Why did this news appear so suddenly?

James kept his inner circle very small and did not lock in his pick until late Thursday, sources said, after a few days in Los Angeles with family and Paul. The teams stayed mostly unaware until the close. (Executives chasing James reached out multiple times in recent weeks to learn what I had heard.)

No team received word it was eliminated; each learned along with everyone else.

Is this really James' final choice?

That is what he claims, and at age 41 it seems probable. Yet he wrote in his 2014 letter in Sports Illustrated that "I always believed that I'd return to Cleveland and finish my career there. I just didn't know when." He added: "I'm not going anywhere. I don't have the energy to do it again."

He has since played 12 seasons and changed teams twice. Everyone should simply enjoy the journey.