LeBron James Joins Philadelphia 76ers in What He Calls His ‘Last Decision’/Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ LeBron James announced that he is joining the Philadelphia 76ers after seriously considering retirement following his 23rd NBA season. The 41-year-old is expected to sign a reported two-year, $8 million contract, a steep reduction from the nearly $53 million he earned last season. James will join Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown as Philadelphia pursues its first NBA championship since 1983.
Quick Look
- LeBron James announced he is joining the Philadelphia 76ers.
- He described the move as his “last decision.”
- James said he had strongly considered retiring.
- ESPN reported that he will sign a two-year, $8 million contract.
- He earned nearly $53 million with the Lakers last season.
- James will enter his record-setting 24th NBA season.
- The 41-year-old remains the NBA’s oldest active player.
- He joins Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown.
- Philadelphia has not won an NBA championship since 1983.
- The Sixers finished last season 45-37.
- The New York Knicks swept Philadelphia in the second playoff round.
- James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists last season.
- Pennsylvania declared Friday LeBron James Day.
- James’ No. 23 Sixers jersey went on sale for $125.
Deep Look
LeBron James Announces Move to Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — LeBron James is joining the Philadelphia 76ers for what he says will be the final move of his NBA career.
The league’s all-time leading scorer announced his decision Friday on social media after spending eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.
James described the move as his “last decision” and said he believes Philadelphia can compete for a championship.
“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 said.
James Strongly Considered Retirement
The four-time NBA champion said he believed he was “done” when his 23rd season ended.
He had acknowledged after the Lakers’ playoff elimination that he needed to determine whether he remained passionate about playing.
“I was pretty sure I played my last game. I was honest at that last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and deicide if I still love this game,” James wrote. “I still truly love this game, and I have more to give.”
Reported Contract Worth $8 Million
James is expected to sign a two-year contract worth $8 million, according to ESPN.
The agreement represents a significant salary reduction from the nearly $53 million he earned during his final season with Los Angeles.
James said money and family considerations did not drive the decision.
“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.”
Philadelphia-Themed Announcement Goes Viral
James celebrated his move with an Instagram highlight video set to Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill’s “Dreams and Nightmares.”
The song has become an unofficial anthem for the city’s professional sports teams.
The video concluded with the lyric, “hold up, wait a minute. Y’all thought I was finished?” before showing a 76ers logo.
Fanatics quickly listed James’ No. 23 Philadelphia jersey for $125. Delivery was not expected until late August.
James Takes Aim at Sixers’ Title Drought
Philadelphia has not won an NBA championship since 1983.
James previously ended a major championship drought when he led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the 2016 NBA title, delivering the city its first major professional sports championship in 52 years and the Cavaliers’ first title.
The Sixers now hope he can produce a similar ending in Philadelphia.
Sixers Add James to Star-Heavy Lineup
James joins a team expected to feature one of the NBA’s strongest starting lineups.
Philadelphia’s core includes:
- Joel Embiid
- Tyrese Maxey
- Jaylen Brown
- LeBron James
Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, arrived from the Boston Celtics in a major offseason trade.
He is a five-time All-Star and was the NBA’s fourth-leading scorer last season.
Maxey and Brown Celebrate the News
Maxey reacted by posting an Instagram video showing him celebrating inside a gym and repeatedly yelling, “what!? what?!”
Brown responded on X with “#throwtheballup.”
The phrase originated in Brown’s introductory message to Philadelphia and has since appeared on billboards around the city.
Pennsylvania Declares LeBron James Day
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro proclaimed Friday as LeBron James Day.
The declaration reflected the immediate excitement surrounding the arrival of one of basketball’s most accomplished players.
New Sixers team president Mike Gansey, who was a prominent Ohio high school player during James’ youth, had already reshaped the roster through the Brown trade.
James’ arrival became the organization’s biggest offseason move.
Philadelphia’s Championship Odds Improve
The Sixers finished last season with a 45-37 record before being swept by the eventual champion New York Knicks in the second round.
Following James’ announcement, most betting sites listed Philadelphia at 9-1 to win the championship.
The Sixers ranked behind the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs and Knicks among the leading contenders as of Friday afternoon.
James Leaves Lakers After Eight Seasons
James spent eight seasons with the Lakers after joining the franchise in 2018.
The period was highlighted by the 2020 NBA championship, the fourth title of his career.
He previously won championships with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013 and Cleveland in 2016.
Cleveland and Miami were reportedly among the options James considered before choosing Philadelphia.
“Thank you LA. Miami I’ll forever love and Northeast Ohio will always home!” James wrote.
Record-Setting 24th Season Ahead
James is the oldest active NBA player at 41.
He is already the only player in league history to complete 23 seasons. His first season in Philadelphia will extend that record to 24.
James began his NBA career with Cleveland in 2003. He played seven seasons there before joining Miami for four years.
He returned to the Cavaliers for another four seasons and then moved to Los Angeles.
James Remains Productive at 41
James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game during his final Lakers season.
Across more than 1,600 career games, he has averaged:
- 26.8 points
- 7.5 rebounds
- 7.4 assists
His career honors include 22 All-Star selections, 21 All-NBA selections and four Most Valuable Player awards.
James is also a four-time NBA Finals MVP, three-time All-Star Game MVP and member of the league’s 75th anniversary team.
For what he says will be the final chapter of his career, James’ professional home will be Philadelphia.
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