LeBron James is not ready to walk away from basketball just yet, but he is officially walking away from Los Angeles.
The 41-year-old NBA legend is reportedly signing a two-year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. The deal includes a player option and will take James into his record-setting 24th NBA season.
James admitted that retirement felt like a real possibility after the Los Angeles Lakers’ season ended. However, after stepping away and spending time with his family, the four-time NBA champion realized he still had enough left in the tank for one more serious title chase.
“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. 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. 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. 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?
“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.
“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. Thank you LA. Miami I’ll forever love and Northeast Ohio will always home!”
James informed the Lakers before free agency that he intended to continue his career elsewhere, ending an eight-season run in Los Angeles that included the franchise’s 17th championship in 2020. The move also confirms that his final NBA chapter will not include a return to Cleveland or Miami.
Philadelphia suddenly looks like one of the messiest superteams in the league, at least on paper.
The 76ers already shook up the Eastern Conference by sending Paul George and four draft picks to the Boston Celtics for Jaylen Brown. Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, averaged a career-high 28.7 points last season and now joins Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and James in a stacked rotation.
Adding James makes Philadelphia’s championship message crystal clear. This is not a rebuilding project or a farewell tour where everybody smiles, exchanges jerseys and takes pictures. LeBron is coming to compete.
Despite no longer being the Lakers’ unquestioned first option alongside Luka Dončić, James remained highly productive last season. He averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, 6.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals while shooting 51.5 percent across 60 games. He also earned his 22nd consecutive All-Star selection.
The biggest question will once again be Embiid’s health. Philadelphia’s championship hopes have repeatedly been tied to whether its former MVP center can stay available through an entire postseason. James’ age and workload will also require careful management, but the Sixers now have enough star power to avoid asking either veteran to carry the team every night.
James has already delivered championships to Cleveland, Miami and Los Angeles. Now, he is betting that Philadelphia can become the fourth and final city added to that list.
His last decision has officially been made. The only thing left is finding out whether it ends with one more ring.
