LeBron James is taking his talents to the City of Brotherly Love.
On Friday, James revealed he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. Finalists for the 41-year-old’s basketball future included Philly and his former teams the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat. James’ contract and tenure expired with the Los Angeles Lakers at the conclusion of the 2025-26 basketball season. It was unclear at the time if he’d continue to play.
“I thought I was done when the season ended. I wasn’t ready to announce it, and I knew I needed some time to really decide, but I was pretty sure I played my last game,” James posted on X. “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.”
“I still truly love this game, and I have more to give. The last few weeks have really been special,” his statement continued. “I’ve never been able to have no clue what to do and take real time to just think. I’ve had an incredible few months with all the people I love trying to figure it all out.”
What James figured out was that Philadelphia gave him a very good opportunity to win another ring. The team, which plays in the weaker of the NBA‘s two conferences, also added Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown this offseason. Joel Embiid was already there — on paper (and probably on the hardwood), the 76ers now have the best front court in all of basketball.
“This is my last decision. I’m not going for money. I’m not going for family. What am I really playing for at this point?” James wrote. “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 another championship.”
James signed with Philly for two years at just $8 million. He made more than $50 million last year for the Lakers, so it is fair when he says the choice was not about the money.
“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,” his messages concluded. “Thank you LA. Miami I’ll forever love and Northeast Ohio will always home!”
When the 2026-27 NBA campaign tips off, James will enter his record-breaking 24th season. Should he remain healthy and fulfill the length of his 76ers contract, James will be in basketball shape in time for the 2028 Olympics, which take place in Los Angeles. He had previously downplayed any chance of continued on-court participation in the summer games, including in conversation with The Hollywood Reporter.
“I mean, if I had to look at it right now through a microscope, I would say that, me being able to support Team USA for the rest of my life — that’s for sure,” James told THR last June. “But me actually going on and playing, I don’t see it happening.”
James is basketball’s all-time leading scorer, a four-time champion (with three different franchises: the Heat, Cavs and Lakers) and a 22-time NBA All-Star.