When it was revealed that LeBron James would be returning for his 24th NBA season but not coming back to the Los Angeles Lakers, focus immediately turned to where he could potentially land as an unrestricted free agent. A couple teams emerged as favorites including a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers or joining the Golden State Warriors.
But that is not where James is going as he has actually decided to end his career with the Philadelphia 76ers, per Shams Charania of ESPN:
BREAKING: LeBron James is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $8 million deal with a player option, Klutch Sports Group and Klutch CEO and Game Over show host Rich Paul tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/ALOlTkgdAV
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 24, 2026
James then put out a thread explaining his decision:
I thought I was done when the season ended. I wasn't ready to announce it, and I knew I needed some time to really decide, but I was pretty sure I played my last game. I was honest at that last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and deicide if I still love
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 24, 2026
this game. I still truly love this game, and I have more to give.
The last few weeks have really been special. I’ve never been able to have no clue what to do and take real time to just think. I’ve had an incredible few months with all the people I love trying to figure it all
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 24, 2026
out. 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
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 24, 2026
another championship.
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.
Thank you LA. Miami I’ll forever love and Northeast Ohio will always home!
🙏🏾🫡👑
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 24, 2026
This officially closes the book on James’ eight-year tenure with the Lakers, which is the longest time he’s ever spent with a team consecutively. While those years were filled with plenty of ups and downs, there’s no denying that James helped return the Lakers to prominence when no other stars wanted to.
Not only did James lead the Lakers to their 17th championship in 2020, but he helped guide the organization and fanbase through the difficult time of Kobe Bryant’s passing. He also set countless records in purple and gold, including passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
With it being clear that the Lakers had shifted their focus to building around Luka Doncic, it was just time for James to move on and finish his career elsewhere as he pursues his fifth championship.
Him choosing the 76ers does come as a surprise given the other options, but James is clearly prioritizing the opportunity to compete for another championship and believes Philadelphia is his best chance to do that.
Lakers, Jeanie Buss release statement thanking LeBron James
Following news of James’ decision to not return to the Lakers next season, the franchise and team Governor Jeanie Buss released a statement thanking the 41-year-old for all that he did for the team.
“LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in history,” Buss said. “We will always be thankful for his eight years with the Lakers – including the title he led us to in 2020 under the toughest imaginable circumstances and the countless records he broke in purple and gold. We wish him all the best in the future, both on the court and off. He will always be a cherished part of the Lakers family.”
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