In the latest incredible development of the Sixers’ offseason, LeBron James has chosen Philadelphia.
James has agreed to join the Sixers on a two-year, $8 million contract with a player option in Year 2, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The move comes after the Sixers shocked the NBA by trading for Jaylen Brown and sending Paul George, two first-round draft picks and two second-rounders to the Celtics.
On the “Game Over” podcast in early July, Paul named the Heat, Cavaliers, Timberwolves and Warriors among the other teams in the mix for James.
James is one of the most decorated athletes in history. He made his 22nd straight All-Star Game last year and averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds over 60 games with the Lakers. The 41-year-old forward opted to leave Los Angeles this summer and seek another opportunity to play for a championship-contending team (on a much lower salary).
James played his first NBA game in Philadelphia on Dec. 19, 2003, scoring 36 points in the Cavaliers’ victory over the Sixers. He’s since won four NBA titles and four MVP awards. James is the NBA’s all-time scoring leader, fourth in assists and sixth in steals.
James released the following statement in a thread on X:
“I thought I was done when the season ended. 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.
“The last few weeks have really been special. I’ve never been able to have no clue what to do and take real time to just think. I’ve had an incredible few months with all the people I love trying to figure it all out. 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.
“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.
“Thank you LA. Miami I’ll forever love and Northeast Ohio will always [be] home!”
Multiple Sixers already have relationships with James.
Sixers star guard Tyrese Maxey knows him well from their summer workouts. Seven-time big man All-Star Joel Embiid teamed up with James during the United States’ run to a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics. James and new Sixers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey go way back. Gansey finished second to James in Mr. Basketball voting for Ohio high school basketball.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported on July 14 that Maxey, Embiid and Brown had all “been in communication with James” and that Maxey was “leading the charge.”
With James on the roster, the Sixers’ full-strength starting lineup projects to be Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Brown, James and Embiid. The team’s role players include guards Anfernee Simons and Labaron Philon Jr., wing Justin Edwards, forwards Dean Wade and Dominick Barlow, and centers Adem Bona and Ariel Hukporti.