LeBron James has agreed to join the Philadelphia 76ers, signing a two-year contract worth $8 million with a player option, according to Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul. The announcement, made on Friday, marks a new chapter for the 41-year-old NBA veteran, who spent the previous eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.
James, a four-time NBA Most Valuable Player and the league’s all-time leading scorer, completed his 23rd NBA season in 2025-26. He had initially considered retiring after last season but ultimately decided to continue his career. In a series of posts on X, James explained that he needed time to assess his passion for the game before committing to another team. “I thought I was done when the season ended,” he wrote. “I wasn’t ready to announce it, and I knew I needed some time to really decide.” He expressed his motivation to keep playing not for financial reasons or family, but for the desire to compete, work hard, and pursue another championship.
The 76ers, who last won an NBA title in 1983, view James’s arrival as a crucial step toward ending their 43-year championship drought. Philadelphia finished last season with a 45-37 record and reached the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs before being swept by the eventual champion New York Knicks. The team recently bolstered its roster by acquiring Jaylen Brown, further enhancing its title prospects.
According to reports, 76ers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey maintained ongoing discussions with Paul during the negotiation process. Players such as Tyrese Maxey, a fellow Klutch client, Joel Embiid, and Brown were active in recruiting James to Philadelphia. The move immediately influenced betting markets, with the 76ers’ odds to win the NBA championship improving significantly. DraftKings adjusted their lines from +2000 to +900 for the title, while their chances to win the Eastern Conference and Atlantic Division also improved markedly.
James’s decision ended interest from other potential landing spots, including the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Miami Heat. His late commitment also delayed the finalization of the upcoming NBA schedule. Commissioner Adam Silver highlighted the importance of James’s choice, noting that “where LeBron plays affects the schedule” for marquee games such as opening week and Christmas.
Over his most recent season with the Lakers, James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds. He is a 22-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion, holding records for most games played (1,622) and total points scored (43,440). A native of Akron, Ohio, James was the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, for whom he played two separate stints (2003-10, 2014-18), and also spent four seasons with the Miami Heat before joining the Lakers.