One of the most seismic moments in modern NBA history has arrived. LeBron James, after saying he seriously considered retirement, is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers for his final run at another NBA championship. James is joining the 76ers on a two-year, $8 million deal with a player option. This will mark the fourth team in James’ career after he previously played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and, most recently, the Los Angeles Lakers.
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Who is LeBron James?
In 2003, at age 18, he was drafted directly into the NBA from high school, being selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the number one pick.
James is a four-time champion, four-time MVP, 22-time All-Star and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. He also boasts four regular-season MVPs, 20 All-Star appearances, 20 All-NBA selections, six All-Defensive awards, three Olympic gold medals, the 2024 Olympic MVP, the inaugural NBA Cup MVP, and three All-Star MVPs.
James — who doesn’t need the money, given that he was the first active NBA player to become a billionaire in 2022 — is still close to an All-NBA level.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Player | LeBron James |
| Previous Team | Los Angeles Lakers |
| New Team | Philadelphia 76ers |
| Contract | Two-Year, $8 Million |
| Structure | Player Option on Year 2 |
| Previous Salary (2025–26) | ~$52.6 million |
| Age | 41 |
| Position | Forward |
| Height | 6ft 9in (2.06m) |
| Weight | 250 lbs (113kg) |
| NBA Season | 24th (2026–27) |
In 2025–26, James set a new record as the first player to play in the NBA for 23 regular seasons.
Career Timeline
| Team | Years | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 2003–2010 | No. 1 Draft Pick, 2x Finals |
| Miami Heat | 2010–2014 | 2x NBA Champion (2012, 2013) |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 2014–2018 | NBA Champion (2016) |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 2018–2026 | NBA Champion (2020) |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 2026–2028 | Incoming |
LeBron’s Career Accolades
| Honour | Times |
|---|---|
| NBA Championships | 4 (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020) |
| NBA Finals MVP | 4 |
| NBA Regular Season MVP | 4 |
| NBA All-Star | 22 times |
| All-NBA Selections | 20 |
| Olympic Gold Medals | 3 |
| NBA All-Time Leading Scorer | Yes |
| NBA Billionaire | First active player (2022) |
Career Regular Season Stats (Per Game)
He has career averages of 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists plus 1.5 steals in 1,514 games.
| Stat | Per Game Average |
|---|---|
| Points | 27.1 |
| Rebounds | 7.5 |
| Assists | 7.4 |
| Steals | 1.5 |
| Games Played | 1,514 |
2025/26 Season at the Lakers
James averaged 20.9 points per game last season — tied with his rookie campaign for the lowest of his career — while his 27% usage rate was his lowest ever. James took a backseat to Luka Doncic, whom the Lakers acquired in February 2025. With Doncic sidelined due to injury, however, James led Los Angeles to a first-round win over the Houston Rockets in the playoffs before losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the following round.
Why He Left the Lakers
James’ decision comes after his eight-year run with the Los Angeles Lakers ended on June 30 when he informed the team he planned to pursue other options hours before the start of the official free-agency period. At the 2025 deadline, the Lakers landed Luka Dončić in a deal with the Dallas Mavericks, which moved their timeline away from James and Anthony Davis, who was shipped out to Dallas in the blockbuster Dončić trade.
“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” his agent Rich Paul told ESPN at the time. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all.”
His ‘Last Decision’
In a message on X, the 41-year-old James said he felt he was finished at the end of the season. “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 decide if I still love this game. I still truly love this game, and I have more to give.”
“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 said.
The Pay Cut: Context
The realistic pool of suitors was always going to be small, even when factoring in the sizable pay cut James would have to take from his $52.6 million salary in 2025–26. LeBron will make the veteran’s minimum of $3.9 million per year — less than one-tenth the amount most of the other forwards in his talent range will earn — and Philadelphia registers an A-plus grade for that value alone.
The 76ers’ Star-Studded Roster
Philadelphia previously traded Paul George and draft capital to the rival Boston Celtics in a deal to acquire All-NBA forward Jaylen Brown, and will now add James to an imposing core that also features All-NBA guard Tyrese Maxey, former MVP center Joel Embiid, and rising star guard VJ Edgecombe.
The 76ers have now added two former Finals MVPs this summer after also acquiring Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics earlier in the offseason.
It has been 43 years since the Sixers last won the NBA Finals, and 25 years since the team got past the second round of the playoffs.
Philadelphia 76ers — Projected Starting Lineup (2026–27)
| Position | Player | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| PG | Tyrese Maxey | All-NBA Guard |
| SG | VJ Edgecombe | Rising Star |
| SF | Jaylen Brown | 2024 Finals MVP |
| PF | LeBron James | 4x NBA Champion |
| C | Joel Embiid | Former League MVP |
Other Teams That Pursued LeBron
The Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, and Minnesota Timberwolves were reportedly mentioned as other suitors for James, but the Philadelphia 76ers won the sweepstakes.
| Team | Interest | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Cavaliers | Strong | Not chosen |
| Miami Heat | Strong | Not chosen |
| Golden State Warriors | Linked | Not chosen |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | Linked | Not chosen |
| Philadelphia 76ers | Winner | Signed — 2 yrs / $8M |
Cultural Impact
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro even proclaimed Friday as LeBron James Day in the state. As usual, Philadelphia’s prospects will rely heavily on the health and availability of Embiid, but with Brown and now James in the mix, the 76ers project to challenge the reigning champion New York Knicks in the East next season.
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FAQs
How much is LeBron James earning at the Philadelphia 76ers?
James is signing an $8 million, two-year contract with a player option. This represents a historic pay cut from the $52.6 million he earned in his final season with the Lakers.
Why did LeBron James leave the Los Angeles Lakers?
He told the Lakers on June 30 he would not be returning to the team and remained the biggest name in free agency until he announced his decision. The Lakers’ pivot toward building around Luka Dončić accelerated his departure.
Is this LeBron James’ final move in his NBA career?
In his posts, James said this will be his “last decision” and that it comes after he strongly considered retirement.
What are LeBron James’ chances of winning a fifth NBA title with the Sixers?
Suddenly, the 76ers are a serious contender in the Eastern Conference once again. With Embiid, Jaylen Brown, and Tyrese Maxey alongside him, a championship run is a genuine possibility.
How does LeBron James rank among the NBA’s all-time greats?
James leads all players in scoring in both the regular season (43,440 points) and the playoffs (8,289 points), and is the only player in NBA history with 50,000 combined points in the regular season and playoffs.
