LeBron James Signs with Philadelphia 76ers in NBA Free Agency Blockbuster
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The 41-year-old joins Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and newly acquired Jaylen Brown as the Sixers pursue a first NBA championship since 1983.
The Philadelphia 76ers have reshuffled the NBA landscape by signing LeBron James, bolstering a roster already deep with high-end talent.
According to reporting from The Guardian, James is signing with Philadelphia on a two-year, $8 million deal that includes a player option. The terms of the agreement were confirmed to ESPN by Rich Paul, the CEO of Klutch Sports Group. The contract is notably lean compared to the nearly $53 million James earned with the Los Angeles Lakers last season, providing the 76ers with a low-cost addition while giving the 41-year-old flexibility to enter free agency again after a single year.
James joins a roster already featuring Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe, per The Guardian. Furthermore, the team recently acquired Jaylen Brown—a five-time All-Star and the 2024 Finals MVP—via trade earlier this month.
This roster surge comes as the 76ers attempt to break a championship drought dating back to 1983. The team finished last season with a 45-37 record and suffered a second-round playoff sweep at the hands of the New York Knicks. The franchise has not progressed further than the second round of the playoffs since 2001.
In a post on X, James revealed that the decision to play a record 24th NBA season came after he strongly considered retirement, stating he believed he had played his final game before deciding he still had more to give. The move pairs the NBA's all-time leading scorer with a 76ers team that has aggressively stockpiled talent this offseason.