Savannah James says family will not move to Philadelphia for LeBron's new season

Savannah James said on November 3 that her family will not relocate to Philadelphia to follow LeBron James to the 76ers. Speaking on the Keke Palmer podcast, she explained that the household will maintain its current structure rather than uprooting everyone for the new NBA season. James described the decision as a shift in how the family manages career changes, prioritizing stability for their children after years of frequent moves.

LeBron James signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in July 2026 after eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. The move places him on the opposite coast from much of his family's established life. James said she considered the impact on the children's school schedules, friendships, and sports commitments before deciding against a full relocation. She noted that the family can manage the distance through planned travel and regular visits.

The arrangement allows different family members to remain in their current locations. Savannah James and their youngest daughter, Zhuri, will stay based in Los Angeles. Their son Bronny James continues his professional career with the Lakers in Los Angeles. Their son Bryce James attends the University of Arizona, where he plays college basketball. This distributed setup requires the family to coordinate schedules across multiple time zones.

Zhuri James initially worried about maintaining a close relationship with her father during the relocation. According to Savannah James, Zhuri asked how often she would see him and how they would spend time together. After discussing travel plans, Zhuri expressed a preference to stay in Los Angeles to remain connected to her school and volleyball team. James said the family agreed to let Zhuri keep those commitments while establishing a routine for visits to her father.

James said turning 40 gave her the confidence to handle the transition differently than in previous years. She acknowledged that an earlier version of herself might have immediately started packing for a move. Now that the children are older and have established interests, she believes their individual goals deserve weight in family decisions. She described the current plan as a way to support LeBron's career without requiring every family member to sacrifice their own routines.

The family has identified New York as a central meeting point for gatherings. LeBron James has developed a travel routine between New York and the Philadelphia area to balance his professional duties with family time. James said the logistics are complex but manageable. She co-hosts the podcast Everybody's Crazy with April McDaniel and maintains her own professional schedule alongside her parental responsibilities.

James emphasized that the new arrangement is not a reflection of distance in the marriage. She described it as a practical solution for a family with members in different stages of life and career. The plan allows each person to pursue their individual goals while keeping the family connected. James said she is focused on creating a routine that works for everyone without forcing a single location on the entire group.