SUMMARY
- LeBron James has signed a two year, $8 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers that includes a player option.
- The 41 year old said winning another NBA championship, not money or family considerations, drove his decision.
- Philadelphia strengthens a roster led by Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and newly acquired Jaylen Brown.
LeBron James has chosen the Philadelphia 76ers for what he described as the final decision of his NBA career, agreeing to a two-year, $8 million contract with a player option after seriously considering retirement.
According to ESPN, Klutch Sports Group CEO Rich Paul confirmed the agreement, marking the end of James’ eight season tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Last season, James earned nearly $53 million with Los Angeles before entering free agency.
In a series of posts on X, James revealed he believed his playing career had ended after the 2025/26 season before taking several weeks to evaluate whether he still wanted to compete.
“I still truly love this game, and I have more to give,” James wrote, adding that his decision was not motivated by salary or personal circumstances but by one final opportunity to compete for an NBA championship.
The move makes Philadelphia the fourth franchise of James’ career following stops with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Lakers. He enters a record breaking 24th NBA season while pursuing a fifth championship.
For the 76ers, James’ arrival represents another major offseason addition after the organization acquired Jaylen Brown in a blockbuster trade.
Philadelphia’s projected core now includes James alongside Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and rookie VJ Edgecombe.
Sources cited by ESPN said Maxey, Embiid and Brown were all involved in recruiting James, with Maxey reportedly leading the effort.
James and Embiid also developed a relationship while helping Team USA capture Olympic gold in 2024. Philadelphia’s front office also played an active role.
President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey, who has known James since their Ohio high school basketball days, remained in regular contact with Rich Paul throughout free agency.
Meanwhile, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment president Bob Myers publicly pitched Philadelphia as James’ best opportunity to compete for another title, emphasizing the team’s championship potential. The signing immediately reshaped expectations around the 76ers.
Sports betting markets shortened Philadelphia’s NBA Finals and Eastern Conference championship odds shortly after the announcement, reflecting increased confidence in the team’s title chances.
James leaves Los Angeles after helping the Lakers win the 2020 NBA championship and spending eight consecutive seasons with the franchise, the longest uninterrupted stint of his career.
During the 2025/26 season, James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, 6.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals across 60 games while earning his 22nd consecutive NBA All Star selection.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, finished 45-37 before losing to the eventual champion New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The franchise has not won an NBA championship since 1983.
James described the 76ers as his final NBA destination, writing that this would be his “last decision” in free agency.
His arrival follows Philadelphia’s aggressive roster overhaul this offseason, highlighted by the acquisition of Jaylen Brown as the organization attempts to build a championship caliber lineup around Embiid and Maxey.
James’ decision significantly changes the balance of power in the Eastern Conference while giving Philadelphia another opportunity to end one of the NBA’s longest championship droughts.
For fans, it also marks the beginning of what James says will be the final stage of one of basketball’s most accomplished careers.
Philadelphia has reached the conference finals only twice since winning the 1983 NBA championship.
The closest the franchise came to returning to the NBA Finals during the Joel Embiid era was a seven game Eastern Conference semifinal loss to Toronto in 2019.
James previously ended Cleveland’s 52 year championship drought by leading the Cavaliers to the 2016 NBA title. He now hopes to help Philadelphia accomplish a similar achievement.
TABLE
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Player | LeBron James |
| New Team | Philadelphia 76ers |
| Contract | Two years, $8 million |
| Option | Player option in Year 2 |
| Age | 41 |
| NBA Season | 24th |
| Previous Team | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Last Season Stats | 20.9 PPG, 7.2 APG, 6.1 RPG, 1.2 SPG |
| 76ers Record (2025-26) | 45-37 |
| Last 76ers NBA Title | 1983 |
In his statement on X, James said his decision centered on competing for another championship rather than financial considerations.
Rich Paul previously said James was prioritizing “basketball happiness” in free agency, while Bob Myers publicly argued that Philadelphia offered the strongest opportunity to compete for another NBA title.
James is expected to begin preparations for his first season with Philadelphia, where he will join Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and the rest of the 76ers roster entering the upcoming NBA season.
Why did LeBron James choose the Philadelphia 76ers?
James said he still loves basketball and wanted another opportunity to compete for an NBA championship. He described Philadelphia as the place where he believes he can help build a title winning team.
What contract did LeBron James sign?
According to ESPN, James agreed to a two-year, $8 million contract that includes a player option for the second season.
Who will LeBron James play with in Philadelphia?
The projected core includes Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and rookie VJ Edgecombe, giving the 76ers one of the league’s strongest lineups on paper.
SOURCE:
Philadelphia Inquirer / Sixers report
