PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers made it clear that basketball royalty had arrived, posting a photo of LeBron James’ blue No. 23 jersey hanging in a locker, complete with a crown on the shelf — a nod to his well-known “King” nickname.
Both the 76ers and James confirmed Monday that a two-year contract at the veteran’s minimum — totaling $8 million — was finalized, making the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player an official member of the team.
“There is no doubt LeBron is one of the greatest players to ever play the game of basketball and there are no words to measure the impact he’ll have on this organization,” said team president Mike Gansey.
James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, had first hinted at his decision on social media last Friday, describing it as his “last decision” and revealing that he had seriously weighed walking away from the game entirely.
“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.
On Monday morning, James shared workout videos on his Instagram story with the caption: “It’s that time again. 4:12 AM. Let’s get it.” He had been posting gym footage throughout the weekend.
After 23 NBA seasons — his most recent with the Los Angeles Lakers — James had written that he was “done.” Instead, he changed direction and joined a Sixers roster stacked with All-Star talent in Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Jaylen Brown. Despite that firepower, Philadelphia hasn’t captured an NBA championship since 1983 or advanced past the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs since 2001.
James, who turns 42 this December, appears ready to tackle the challenge of transforming Philadelphia into a title contender — much like he did when he ended a 56-year drought in Cleveland by leading the Cavaliers to the championship in 2016.
“I cannot wait to see LeBron alongside Jaylen Brown, VJ Edgecombe, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and our talented roster as we work to deliver a championship for Philly,” said team owner Josh Harris.
Philadelphia finished last season at 45-37 before being swept in the second round by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks.
James’ career achievements stand alone in NBA history. He is a 22-time All-Star, a 21-time All-NBA selection, a four-time MVP, a four-time NBA Finals MVP, a three-time All-Star Game MVP, and a member of the NBA’s 75th anniversary team.
Last season, he averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game. Over his career spanning more than 1,600 games, he has averaged 26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists.
James entered the league with Cleveland in 2003, spending seven seasons with the Cavaliers before moving to Miami for four years, where he claimed his first two NBA titles. He returned to Cleveland for four more seasons — including that historic 2016 championship run — then headed to Los Angeles in 2018 and won a title there in 2020. He is the only player in NBA history to win Finals MVP honors with three separate franchises.
His arrival in Philadelphia also sets up a reunion with Gansey, who was brought on board in late May after the Sixers parted ways with Daryl Morey. Gansey joined the Cleveland organization in 2011 and had served as their general manager since 2022. His connection with James stretches back more than two decades to their days as standout Ohio high school basketball players. Gansey, playing for Olmsted Falls High School, finished second in the 2001 Ohio Mr. Basketball voting — behind James, who won the award three times while at St. Vincent–St. Mary High School before skipping college and heading straight to the NBA.
“I have had the pleasure of knowing LeBron since high school and have seen the high-level impact he’s produced at every stop of his basketball journey,” Gansey said. “He is a consummate professional, the ultimate competitor and a tireless worker. But he is also an incredible person with natural leadership traits, a family man, and someone who possesses unwavering commitment to community and those around him.”
