LeBron James is heading to a new city.
The NBA superstar is signing a two-year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers that includes a player option, Klutch Sports Group CEO Rich Paul told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Friday.
LeBron James confirmed the move in a series of posts on X, saying he spent time reflecting on whether he still had the desire to continue playing after the 2025-26 season.
“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 move sends James to his fourth NBA franchise as he chases a fifth NBA title before calling it a career.
Philadelphia is hoping LeBron James can help end the franchise’s 43-year championship drought, much like he delivered Cleveland its first NBA championship in 52 years when he led the Cavaliers to the 2016 title.
The 41-year-old is preparing for a record-setting 24th NBA season, and this could be the last free-agency decision of his career.
“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?” James wrote on X. “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.”
POLL: Should Barack And Michelle Obama Stay Out Of Politics?
“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.”
Rich Paul previously said LeBron James was focused on finding “basketball happiness” after deciding to leave the Los Angeles Lakers. The 76ers viewed that as an opportunity to pitch themselves as the best place for him to compete for another championship.
As part of that effort, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment president Bob Myers appeared on Paul’s “Game Over” podcast with co-host Max Kellerman and made his case directly to the four-time NBA champion.
“If he was here, I’d say, ‘I honestly believe this is your best chance to win. You have to decide all the other things that are equally important,’” Myers said. “What I would just say is, if it’s about winning, let’s talk about this team. Because you can win here in Philadelphia.”
Philadelphia’s front office also worked behind the scenes to recruit James. ESPN reported that president of basketball operations Mike Gansey, who worked with James during his second stint in Cleveland and previously competed against him as a high school player in Northeast Ohio, remained in regular contact with Paul throughout the process.
POLL: Ilhan Omar Now Claims She’s Broke – Do You Believe Her?
