James’ move comes after he said he was “done” after his 23rd NBA season, which was his last with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Published July 24, 2026
LeBron James is moving to the Philadelphia 76ers.
James made the announcement on social media on Friday, saying it was his “final decision” and came after strongly considering retirement.
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“I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team,” said James. “I’m excited to energize a new fan base and begin this incredible journey one last time.”
“It’s over,” James wrote at the end of his 23rd NBA season, calling it his last time with the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I believed I had played my last game. I was honest in my last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and decide if I still liked this game,” James wrote. “I still really love the game. I have more to contribute.”
According to ESPN, James, 41, will sign a modest two-year contract with the Sixers worth $8 million. He made about $53 million last season.
“I’m not in it for the money. I’m not in it for my family,” James wrote. “What am I really playing for at this point? I still want to sacrifice. I still want to work. I still want to strive. I still want to compete and win and have a chance to feel the feeling of winning.”
James joins a 76ers team that hasn’t won an NBA championship since 1983 and hasn’t advanced past the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs since 2001. He joins fellow All-Stars Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown, acquired in a surprising offseason deal with the Celtics, on a team that boasts one of the NBA’s top starting fives.
