LeBron James agrees to join Philadelphia 76ers

LeBron James is headed to Philadelphia, giving the 76ers the biggest prize of the NBA offseason and a star-packed roster built around one goal: the franchise’s first championship since 1983.

James announced Friday that he will join the Sixers for the 2026-27 season, his 24th as a professional. Klutch Sports Group CEO Rich Paul confirmed to ESPN that James is signing a two-year, $8 million deal that includes a player option, The Guardian reported. The agreement gives James the ability to become a free agent again after one season while limiting Philadelphia’s long-term financial commitment.

“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,” James wrote in a post on X.

James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, arrives after eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves had also been mentioned as possible suitors, CBS News reported, but Philadelphia emerged with the agreement.

The move pairs James with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and newly acquired Jaylen Brown, forming a projected starting lineup that adds size, rebounding and another playmaker at power forward. James made his 22nd All-Star Game last season and averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds in 60 games. He is 41 and will turn 42 in December.

James said he had seriously considered retirement after last season.

“I thought I was done when the season ended,” he wrote. “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.”

He added: “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.”

Philadelphia’s push comes after Mike Gansey replaced Daryl Morey as president of basketball operations in May and quickly reshaped the roster. The Sixers acquired Brown from the Boston Celtics in a blockbuster trade that sent Paul George and draft picks to their Eastern Conference rival. Paul later said on his podcast that the Brown trade “changed everything” for Philadelphia as a possible destination for James.

Gansey also signed forward Dean Wade, drafted Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr., added veteran guard Anfernee Simons, signed former New York Knicks center Ariel Hukporti and added Caleb Love and Rayan Rupert on two-way contracts.

Embiid’s health remains a central question. He has played 96 regular-season games over the last three seasons. Last postseason, he returned from an emergency appendectomy in the first round and helped Philadelphia rally past the Boston Celtics, but he missed a game in the second-round series against the New York Knicks before the Sixers were swept.

James thanked his former teams and regions in his post: “Thank you LA. Miami I’ll forever love and Northeast Ohio will always home!”

The signing will become official once completed under NBA rules.