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Live sport on SN this weekendJames to join Philadelphia 76ers for 24th NBA season
Frank Pingue • July 25th, 2026 8:56 am
LeBron James, left, in action for the LA Lakers, where he has spent the past eight years | Photo: AP
LeBron James has decided to join the Philadelphia 76ers for the final chapter of his NBA career, forgoing bigger paydays for one more shot at a championship with a franchise that has not won a title in 43 years.
The US league's all-time leading scorer, who had the basketball world on tenterhooks for weeks awaiting his decision on what team he would join for his record-extending 24th NBA season, delivered the news on Friday in a series of social media posts.
James spent the last eight seasons of his glittering career with the Los Angeles Lakers, leading them to a title in 2020 after two separate stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and four years with the Miami Heat.
"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," James wrote.
"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!"
James did not disclose terms of the deal but ESPN reported that the four-time champion signed a two-year, $8million contract with a player option.
A number of teams had been pursuing James, with Cleveland, Miami, the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves all believed to have been interested in the high-profile free agent.
The 41-year-old James, who last March surpassed Robert Parish's record for most career regular-season games played, has continued to perform at an elite level despite his age.
He earned a league-record 22nd consecutive All-Star selection last February during a season in which he averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists over 60 games.
His season ended when the Lakers were swept from the second round of the playoffs in May and he initially thought about retiring.
