LeBron James Joins Philadelphia 76ers on 2-Year, $8 Million Deal

The decision comes a few weeks after James told Los Angeles he wouldn’t return.

LeBron James, No. 23 of the Los Angeles Lakers, warms up before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, on May 11, 2026. Luke Hales/Getty Images

After 23 seasons in the NBA, LeBron James signed with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $8 million contract with a player option, his agent Rich Paul told ESPN on July 24.

“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 said on X. “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.”

A few weeks ago, James told the Los Angeles Lakers, his former team where he won a championship in 2020, that he wouldn’t be returning.

As rumors swirled, his agent narrowed down the decision to five teams: the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves, with a few others on the outside.

“The last few weeks have really been special,” James said. “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.”

The decision pairs the four-time champion with former MVP Joel Embiid and All-Stars Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown.

Brown, who played 10 seasons for the Boston Celtics and won a championship with the team in 2024, is also a new addition as he was traded to Philadelphia for a package including Paul George on July 1.

Despite having strong rosters in recent years, Philadelphia hasn’t made it to the conference finals since 2001. In the 2026 playoffs, the team came back from a 3–1 deficit against Boston in the first round but lost 0–4 to the eventual champion New York Knicks in the second round.

James said that he believes he can help make Philadelphia a championship team and that his motivation to continue playing is the opportunity to win another ring.

In his eight seasons with the team, Los Angeles got swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the 2026 playoffs.

“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 said. “I needed to look at myself and decide if I still love this game. I still truly love this game and I have more to give.”

The four-time MVP is one of the most decorated athletes of all time.

Already the oldest player in the league, if he plays through the two years on his contract, he’ll be 43 years old when he’s faced with the player option.