LeBron James says he will play with the Philadelphia 76ers next season

LeBron James says he will play with the Philadelphia 76ers next season

LeBron James announced on July 24, 2026, that he is joining the Philadelphia 76ers for what he describes as the final chapter of his professional basketball career. The 41-year-old, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, will enter his 24th season in the league after spending the last eight years with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The move follows weeks of uncertainty regarding James' future. In a statement shared on X, James admitted he believed his career had likely ended when the previous season concluded.

"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."

LeBron James, NBA player, via X

James explained that his hesitation was not based on his physical condition or his résumé, but rather a need to determine if his passion for the game remained. He concluded that he still loves the game and has "more to give."

The decision comes after rumors linked James to several other teams, including the Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Cleveland Cavaliers. In one instance, the Miami Heat mistakenly posted a link to an "introductory press conference" for James, though a spokesperson later told Reuters the video was posted in error by staff preparing for the possibility of his return.

To facilitate the move to Philadelphia, James has accepted a significant pay cut. According to reports from ESPN and his agent, Rich Paul, James agreed to a two-year contract worth $8 million, which includes a player option. This is a sharp decrease from the $50.7 million average salary he earned during his final season with the Lakers, where reports cited his earnings as nearly $53 million.

James framed the financial sacrifice as a commitment to competition over money or family. This move will likely separate him from his son, Bronny, who remains under contract with the Lakers; last season, the two became the first father-son duo to play on the same NBA team.

"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 James, NBA player, via X

Philadelphia's aggressive roster restructuring appears to have been a primary motivator for James. The 76ers recently acquired All-NBA forward Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics in a trade that included veteran forward Paul George and draft picks. James joins a roster that also features former MVP Joel Embiid and guards Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.

The 76ers are seeking a turnaround after a second-round playoff loss to the New York Knick, who eventually won the championship. While Embiid's injury history remains a concern, James believes he can help transform the team into a legitimate contender.

If successful, James would achieve the rare feat of winning an NBA championship with a fourth different franchise. He has previously won titles with the Miami Heat (2012 and 2013), the Cleveland Cavaliers (2016), and the Los Angeles Lakers (2020). James was named the NBA Finals' Most Valuable Player for all four of those championships.

Despite his age, James continues to produce at a high level. Last season, he averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game, earning his 22nd consecutive All-Star selection. He also recently surpassed Robert Parish for the most regular-season games played in league history. Between 2009 and 2013, he was named the league's Most Valuable Player four times.

Outside of basketball, James maintains significant business interests as an equity partner in Fenway Sports Group—owners of the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC—and as a co-founder of the SpringHill Company, which merged with Fulwell 73 in 2024.

James concluded his announcement by thanking his former teams, stating, Thank you LA. Miami I’ll forever love and Northeast Ohio will always [be] home!

The 76ers will now look to integrate James into their starting lineup as they prepare for the upcoming season. James will turn 42 on Dec. 30.