NBA superstar LeBron James, widely regarded as one of basketball's greatest players, has confirmed he will be joining the Philadelphia 76ers. The 41-year-old, who holds the record for the most points scored in the history of the league, stated this move would mark his final contract in the NBA. James departed the Los Angeles Lakers last month after an eight-year tenure, during which he secured an NBA title in 2020.
The veteran player had been the subject of considerable speculation regarding his next destination, with several prominent teams, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Miami Heat, reportedly vying for his signature. The Miami Heat even inadvertently posted a link to an 'introductory press conference' for James earlier this week, an error a spokesperson attributed to staff preparing for the possibility of his return to the team he played for between 2010 and 2014.
In a statement shared on X, James expressed his enthusiasm for the new challenge: "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." He has a remarkable track record of winning NBA titles with all three of his previous teams – two with Miami, one with Cleveland in 2016, and one with the Lakers. James was drafted by the Cavaliers in 2003, a team based near his hometown of Akron, Ohio, and had two separate spells with them.
Despite indicating after last season that he was "pretty sure I [had] played my last game," James later reflected that he "still truly love[s] this game and I have more to give." ESPN has reported that James has agreed to a two-year contract with the 76ers, which includes a player option for the second year, valued at approximately $8 million (£6 million). This figure represents a considerable reduction from his average salary with the Lakers last season, which stood at $50.7 million (£38 million).
Addressing the financial aspect, James clarified his motivations: "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." The 76ers reached the Conference semi-finals in the last season's play-offs before being defeated by the eventual champions, the New York Knicks. They have also recently strengthened their roster by acquiring Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics in a trade involving Paul George and future draft picks.