Ex-Lakers Teammate Shares Heartfelt Wish for LeBron James With Living Situation in Philadelphia

When Wilt Chamberlain used to play for the Philadelphia 76ers, he was residing in a luxury Manhattan apartment overlooking the Central Park. He commuted back and forth to Philadelphia for games, practices and to fulfill his team obligations. Now, sixty years later, LeBron James might follow the same precedent. Reports have emerged that James wants to live in New York and commute to Philadelphia by helicopters. The living situation debate received a response from James' former Lakers teammate who knows both sides.

Patrick Beverley, who shared a locker room with James in Los Angeles and later played for the 76ers, offered straightforward advice.

“I ain’t telling you what to do, as a man, I could never tell another man what to do. But, to really enjoy Philadelphia you have to live in Philadelphia,” Beverley said in his podcast The Pat Bev Show (h/t Barstool Sports). “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,” he continued. “You would appreciate it more living in Philly and you got to bring what they want. Philly is known for having its players’ backs… It ain’t going to be the LA vibes. It’s going to be they going to be there during warmups.”

Multiple reports since James' July signing with the 76ers have indicated that the four-time NBA champion could base himself at least part-time in New York or New Jersey. The report added that he will commute by helicopter to the arena and the team’s Camden practice facility, a roughly 45-minute flight.

The option reportedly factored into Philadelphia’s appeal given his family considerations on the West Coast.

Why LeBron James Might Follow Wilt Chamberlain’s Old Path Out of Philadelphia

Chamberlain’s housing plan was well documented. While starring for the Sixers, he maintained a New York lifestyle, moving by car or train and sometimes relying on teammates or drivers. His New York City apartment served as a famous bachelor pad where he even hosted future prodigy Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

The ownership tried, but largely failed to keep Chamberlain based fully out of the Philadelphia area during most of the season. In today's scenario, the logistics are different, but the tension is the same.

Helicopter service between the two cities is possible, though expensive. And where James might stay has been up in the air, as he has not publicly commented on the rumors.

James left the Lakers after eight years. While rumors linked him with a move to former teams, the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers, as well as a long-shot chance at Golden State, he ultimately chose Philadelphia.

The chance to compete, in an unprecedented season No. 24, for another title was his motivation for teaming up with Joel Embiid and Jaylen Brown in the Eastern Conference. With that being said, the 76ers will start the 2026-27 NBA regular season facing the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The game will tip off at 7:00 PM ET.