Draymond Green has defended LeBron James’ decision to travel by helicopter between New York and Philadelphia, telling critics to leave the Los Angeles native alone as he adjusts to life with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Speaking on The Draymond Green Show, the Golden State Warriors forward reacted to the attention surrounding James’ regular helicopter trips between the two cities.
“Well, here’s my thoughts on this. Number one, like let that man fly in peace,” Green said. “Like, y’all recording this man every time he take off and land and he’s landing in the city and landing, leaving like, let that man fly in peace. Let that brother get to work. How he going to get to work and get home? How he going to get home.”
James’ travel arrangements have attracted attention after he joined Philadelphia and confirmed that he would maintain residences in both New York and the Philadelphia area.
According to Front Office Sports, Fanatics is providing access to its corporate aviation as part of the basketball star’s existing partnership with the company. A Fanatics source confirmed the arrangement to the outlet, while a spokesperson for James said the aviation access was included in the multiyear trading card partnership signed in January 2024.
“The deal we signed with Fanatics almost three years ago includes access to their corporate aviation,” James’ spokesperson told Front Office Sports. “It’s a feature in many of their deals with their largest athletes and we appreciate their partnership as LeBron splits his time between New York and Philadelphia.”
Flight records reportedly showed the helicopter completing a dozen round trips between the cities during the previous week. The aircraft has been spotted carrying multiple Fanatics logos.
[td_flex_block_1 category_id="" custom_title="MORE FOR YOU" header_color="#e91e63" td_filter_default_txt="" tag_slug="" sort="random_7_day" tdc_css="eyJhbGwiOnsibWFyZ2luLXJpZ2h0IjoiMjUiLCJtYXJnaW4tYm90dG9tIjoiMjUiLCJtYXJnaW4tbGVmdCI6IjI1IiwicGFkZGluZy10b3AiOiIxMSIsInBhZGRpbmctcmlnaHQiOiIyNSIsInBhZGRpbmctYm90dG9tIjoiMTEiLCJwYWRkaW5nLWxlZnQiOiIyNSIsImJhY2tncm91bmQtY29sb3IiOiIjZjNmNGY2IiwiZGlzcGxheSI6IiIsIi0tdGRiLXNjcm9sbC1hbmltIjoibm9uZSJ9LCJwaG9uZSI6eyJtYXJnaW4tcmlnaHQiOiIwIiwibWFyZ2luLWxlZnQiOiIwIiwicGFkZGluZy1yaWdodCI6IjE1IiwicGFkZGluZy1sZWZ0IjoiMTUiLCJkaXNwbGF5IjoiIn0sInBob25lX21heF93aWR0aCI6NzY3fQ==" mx3f_title_font_transform="" mx3f_title_font_weight="700" title_tag="h3" all_modules_space="0" video_popup="" image_size="td_218x150" image_height="65" image_floated="eyJwaG9uZSI6ImZsb2F0X2xlZnQifQ==" autoplay_vid="" show_vid_t="none" modules_category="image" modules_category_margin="eyJhbGwiOiI1cHgiLCJwaG9uZSI6IjVweCJ9" modules_extra_cat="hide" show_author="none" show_date="none" show_com="none" show_review="none" show_excerpt="none" show_audio="none" show_btn="none" f_title_font_size="15" f_title_font_line_height="1.25" f_title_font_weight="600" f_title_font_spacing="-0.2" cat_bg="#e16e00" modules_divider="solid" category_ids="-4430,-5489" show_cat="" modules_on_row="eyJhbGwiOiIzMy4zMzMzMzMzMyUiLCJwaG9uZSI6IjEwMCUifQ==" limit="3" meta_info_align="" modules_divider_color="#333333" image_width="eyJhbGwiOiIxMDAiLCJwaG9uZSI6IjQwIn0=" meta_info_border_color="" modules_border_color="" modules_gap="15" m_padding="eyJwaG9uZSI6IjE1cHggMHB4IDE1cHggMHB4In0=" art_title="eyJwaG9uZSI6IjBweCAwcHggMHB4IDE1cHgifQ==" video_icon="eyJwaG9uZSI6IjIwIn0=" f_cat_font_size="eyJwaG9uZSI6IjgifQ=="]A helicopter journey between New York City and Philadelphia typically takes around 30 minutes, compared with approximately 90 minutes to two hours by car. Front Office Sports reported that a one-way charter flight on the route can cost between $4,000 and $10,000, although James’ arrangement with Fanatics gives him access to the company’s aviation.
The arrangement is part of James’ transition to Philadelphia after six seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. The 41-year-old signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the 76ers in July, including a player option for the second season.
Despite earning approximately $3.87 million this season, the lowest salary of his NBA career, James continues to generate substantial income through endorsements and business ventures. Front Office Sports reported that his career NBA salary has approached $600 million.
James is joining a Philadelphia roster featuring Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and VJ Edgecombe as the franchise looks to compete for a championship.
The four-time NBA champion has also acknowledged that adjusting to a new team and living arrangements will take time. After Philadelphia’s 114-108 preseason loss to the Brooklyn Nets, he emphasized the importance of developing chemistry with his new teammates.
