PHILADELPHIA — LeBron James officially introduced himself as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers on September 28, marking the beginning of his 24th NBA season with a team poised to contend for a championship. Wearing a Sixers jersey for the first time in public, James addressed a crowded media room at the team’s training complex, expressing excitement about joining a city and fanbase known for its passionate support of basketball.
At 41 years old, James has taken a significant pay cut to join the 76ers, signing a two-year contract reportedly worth $8 million, a drastic decrease from the approximately $52 million he earned in his final season with the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite the reduced salary, James emphasized that his motivation centers on pursuing a title rather than financial gain. “I didn’t leave my family to lose in the second round,” he stated, underscoring his commitment to long-term success.
James left the Lakers and his son, Bronny James, who was set to be his teammate, to align with the 76ers. His decision followed a narrowed list of five potential teams, with his close friendship with All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey playing an influential role. James conducted extensive conversations with Maxey to better understand the team’s culture, the franchise’s ambitions, and how he might fit in. “I kind of picked his brain a lot on not only where his career is going, but how he sees the franchise here, and how much he believes in the franchise,” James explained.
Philadelphia’s roster now boasts an impressive assembly of talent, featuring 2023 NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid, who appeared notably leaner during the press conference after contending with injury struggles in recent years. The team also recently acquired Jaylen Brown, the 2024 Finals MVP, from the Boston Celtics, bolstering an already formidable lineup alongside Maxey. James praised Embiid as “one of the most talented guys that we have in the world” and highlighted the importance of his health going forward.
The 76ers, who reached the conference semifinals last season, are looking to recapture the glory that has eluded them since Julius "Dr. J" Erving led the franchise to its sole NBA championship in 1983. Philadelphia has responded enthusiastically to James’s arrival, with murals of the four-time NBA champion appearing on local buildings ahead of the season.
James has not confirmed whether this contract will mark the end of his career, stating instead that he is focused on “being the best version of myself for this franchise while I’m here.” The 76ers are scheduled to open the regular season on October 20 on the road against the reigning champions, the New York Knicks, who recently ended a 53-year title drought for New York City.