NBA-LeBron James joining Philadelphia 76ers for title shot in 'last decision'

July 24 : LeBron James has decided to join the Philadelphia 76ers for the final chapter of his NBA career, he said on Friday, forgoing bigger paydays for one more shot at a championship with a franchise that has not won a title in 43 years.

The 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 in a series of social media posts.

"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."

James did not disclose terms of the deal but ESPN reported that the four-time champion signed a two-year, $8 million contract with a player option. That marks a significant pay cut for one more title run considering he made over $50 million with the Los Angeles Lakers last season.

James spent the last eight seasons of his glittering career with the Lakers, leading them to a title in 2020 after two separate stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and four years with the Miami Heat.

In Philadelphia, the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player will join forces with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and recently acquired Jaylen Brown on a 76ers team that moved from 20-1 odds to win the NBA title to 10-1 after his announcement.

The Sixers made the 2026 NBA playoffs by securing the Eastern Conference's seventh seed