LeBron James has announced he will join the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year contract after deciding against retirement, calling the move the “last decision” of his NBA career.
The 41-year-old made the announcement on social media on Friday, saying he believes he can help the 76ers become championship contenders after ending his 23-season spell with the Los Angeles Lakers.
“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,” James wrote.
This will mark the fourth team in James’ career after he previously played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and, most recently, the Los Angeles Lakers.
He told the Lakers on June 30 he would not be returning to the team and remained the biggest name in free agency until he announced his decision today.
Per reports, James is set to sign a two-year, $8 million deal. He made nearly $53 million in 2025-26.
“I’m not going for money. I’m not going for family,” James wrote. “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.”
James joins a 76ers team that has not won an NBA championship since 1983 and has not advanced out of the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs since 2001.
The 76ers should boast one of the top starting fives in the NBA with fellow All-Stars Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, a five-time All-Star and the league’s fourth-leading scorer this past season acquired in a stunning offseason deal with the Celtics.
