For nearly a month, the NBA offseason revolved around one question: Where would LeBron James play next? After informing the Los Angeles Lakers that he planned to enter free agency, the future Hall of Famer instantly became the center of the basketball world. Several franchises began to believe they had at least a chance to land him, while NBA commissioner Adam Silver even noted that the league was holding off on releasing next season’s schedule until LeBron made his decision.
Now, after almost four weeks of suspense, LeBron has chosen his next team: the Philadelphia 76ers. James is joining the Sixers on a two-year, $8 million contract that includes a player option, making it the smallest deal of his legendary NBA career. On an annual basis, he has not earned less than $5 million in a season since his rookie contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The agreement represents a stunning pay cut for James. Last season with the Lakers, he made $52.6 million. Across his career, LeBron has earned more than $583 million in NBA salary alone, placing him well ahead of every other player in league history in career on-court earnings.
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James, who considered retirement after the end of last season, revealed the move through a series of posts on X. In one message, he wrote, “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.”
LeBron also said Philadelphia gave him what he viewed as the best opportunity to chase another NBA championship. The 76ers already feature Joel Embiid, an MVP-caliber center when healthy, along with promising guards Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe. The team also recently acquired Jaylen Brown, who won both an NBA title and Finals MVP with the Boston Celtics in 2024.
The excitement extends well beyond the Sixers’ locker room. Philadelphia has embraced the arrival of one of basketball’s biggest stars, with Governor Josh Shapiro declaring July 24 LeBron James Day. Fans, meanwhile, are already dreaming of a deep postseason run.
It is easy to understand why. The 76ers have not captured an NBA championship since 1983. Since then, Philadelphia has made two trips to the conference finals and reached the NBA Finals once, in 2001, behind Allen Iverson. The Sixers won Game 1 of that series before losing the next four games to the Lakers.
LeBron has already shattered all kinds of NBA records, including most points and minutes played. He’s won multiple championships, MVP awards, and Finals MVP nods. He’s really only got one goal left to accomplish that would be yet another NBA first, and that’s winning a championship with four different franchises.
James won two titles with the Miami Heat (2012, 2013), one with the Cavs (2016), and another with the Lakers (2020). He thinks Philadelphia is the best shot for a fifth championship.
Sixers fans love it. LeBron haters will find a reason to despise it. For everyone else in between, let’s just enjoy however much time we have left. LeBron may no longer be at his peak, but even at 41 years old, he’s still incredibly entertaining to watch on a basketball court.
