LeBron James signs two-year minimum deal with Philadelphia 76ers
LeBron James announced a two-year, veteran-minimum contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, saying he still loves the game and wants another chance at a championship.
LeBron James used his personal X account on Friday to confirm a two-year, $8 million veteran-minimum contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, ending his eight-year tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers. James said he had been contemplating retirement after the 2025-26 season and needed time to decide whether he still loved basketball.
"I still truly love this game, and I have more to give," he wrote. He added that the move was not driven by financial considerations or family location, but by a desire for a new challenge and a final opportunity to compete for a championship. The signing marks an unusual acquisition for the Sixers, as a player of James’s stature rarely joins a team on a minimum contract. Analysts note that the Lakers appear to be shifting focus to younger talent, including Luka Dončić, which may have influenced James’s decision. Philadelphia’s roster, featuring Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and recent addition Jaylen Brown, offers James a realistic chance to pursue a title, potentially making him the first player to win NBA championships with four different franchises. The move also reflects James’s personal reflection on his career longevity and the desire to extend his playing years on his own terms.