LeBron James signs two-year deal with Philadelphia 76ers
Four-time NBA champion LeBron James agreed to a two-year contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, marking his 24th season and the team's most significant offseason acquisition.
LeBron James announced on Friday that he will join the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2026-27 season, signing a two-year contract with a player option reportedly worth $8 million per year. The veteran forward, who will be 42 in December, said on the social platform X that he is motivated by competition and the chance to win another championship, not by money or family considerations.
James, a four-time NBA champion and the league’s all-time leading scorer, becomes the latest high-profile free agent to choose Philadelphia after the team traded for guard Jaylen Brown and made several other roster moves. The Sixers’ president of basketball operations, Mike Gansey, described the signing as part of a “all-in” approach to pursue a title, the franchise’s first since 1983.
If the deal is finalized, James will slot into the power-forward position alongside Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe and Brown, providing size, rebounding and secondary ball-handling. He posted averages of 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds in 60 games last season and made his 22nd All-Star appearance.
The addition comes as the Sixers address concerns about front-court depth and seek to mitigate the injury history of Embiid, who has missed significant time over the past three seasons. The team also signed veteran guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and added depth through draft picks and two-way contracts.
"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 in a statement.
The move positions Philadelphia as a contender in the Eastern Conference, though the team’s success will still depend on Embiid’s health and the integration of James into the existing rotation.