The Philadelphia 76ers have officially announced the signing of four-time NBA champion and four-time MVP LeBron James, confirming the most seismic free-agent move of the 2026 offseason.
James, 41, agreed to a two-year veteran's minimum contract worth $8 million that includes a player option for the second season. The NBA's all-time leading scorer made his decision public on social media Friday, describing it as his "last decision" before strongly considering retirement following 23 seasons.
The 76ers welcomed James with a coronation-style photo of his No. 23 jersey hanging in a locker at the Wells Fargo Center, complete with a crown on the shelf — a nod to his "King" nickname.
"I am thrilled to welcome LeBron James to the Philadelphia 76ers," ownership managing partner Josh Harris said in a statement. "One of the greatest players in NBA history and one of the best athletes ever, his accomplishments are iconic. I cannot wait to see LeBron alongside Jaylen Brown, VJ Edgecombe, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and our talented roster as we work to deliver a championship for Philly."
James joins a 76ers squad that went 45-37 last season and was swept in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks. The franchise has not won an NBA title since 1983 and has not advanced past the second round since 2001.
"I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energise a new fanbase and start this incredible journey one last time," James said.
The 22-time All-Star and 21-time All-NBA selection departed the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons, where he delivered a championship in 2020. His resume is unmatched: NBA Finals MVP with three different franchises (Miami, Cleveland, Los Angeles), four regular-season MVPs between 2009 and 2013, and career averages of 26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.4 assists across more than 1,600 games.
Last season with the Lakers, James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game. He previously won two titles with the Miami Heat (2012, 2013), one with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2016), and one with the Lakers (2020).
Team president Mike Gansey, who was hired in late May after the Sixers parted ways with Daryl Morey, has known James since their high school days in Ohio — Gansey was runner-up for Ohio's Mr. Basketball award in 2001, losing to a then-teenage James.
"LeBron is a consummate professional, the ultimate competitor and a tireless worker," Gansey said. "But he is also an incredible person with natural leadership traits, a family man, and someone who possesses unwavering commitment to community."
The Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat had all been linked with James before he chose Philadelphia, where he will try to end the city's 43-year championship drought in his 24th NBA season.
Sources
- https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/cx27r0me3zno
- https://apnews.com/article/lebron-james-philadelphia-76ers-ce2b7481ec9c1c67621a230dfdae1822
