LeBron James, 41, signs two-year, $8 million deal with Philadelphia 76ers to chase fifth NBA championship

The decision

LeBron James announced on Friday that he will continue his NBA career with the Philadelphia 76ers, ending weeks of speculation. The 41-year-old had considered retirement after the Lakers' playoff exit in May, but after taking time to reflect, he decided he still loves the game and wants to compete for a championship. "I thought I was done when the season ended," James wrote on X. "I was honest at that last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and decide if I still love this game."

I still truly love this game, and I have more to give. The last few weeks have really been special.

He called this his "last decision" and emphasized that money and family were not factors. The 76ers were not the obvious choice; the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Miami Heat were all considered more likely destinations. Miami even briefly posted a premature announcement of his return before deleting it. James thanked his former teams: "Thank you LA. Miami I'll forever love and Northeast Ohio will always home!"

Why Philadelphia?

James chose the 76ers because they offer a strong chance to win his fifth NBA title. The team already features Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and second-year guard V.J. Edgecombe, and this offseason they acquired Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics. Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, joins Embiid and James to form a formidable frontcourt. The 76ers play in the Eastern Conference, which is seen as weaker than the West, and they are coached by Nick Nurse. Philadelphia reached the Eastern Conference semifinals last season, where they were swept by the eventual champion New York Knicks. With James, they are expected to contend for the conference title and end a championship drought that dates back to 1983.

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 will be asked to facilitate the offense, get Brown good shooting looks, and take some of the playmaking burden off Maxey. In the games where Embiid stays healthy, the starting five could stack up against any team in the league.

The contract

James signed a two-year deal worth $8 million total, with a player option for the second year. This represents a dramatic pay cut from the $52 million he earned last season with the Lakers. His agent, Rich Paul, confirmed the terms. The contract is effectively a veteran minimum for a player of his age and experience.

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 another championship.

Title odds shift

The signing immediately reshaped the NBA championship betting landscape. Philadelphia's title odds moved from +6000 at the start of the offseason to +2200 after acquiring Brown, then spiked to +600 upon James's announcement before settling at +900 at multiple sportsbooks. They are now tied with the defending champion Knicks for the best odds among Eastern Conference teams, and third overall behind the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder.

BetMGM reported that 23% of bets on the Eastern Conference winner are now on the 76ers. The Celtics dropped to +1300, and Miami fell from +1800 to +3000 after missing out on James. Cleveland, which also pursued James, saw its odds rise from +3000 to +2500 over the last week.

What's next

James will enter his record 24th NBA season when the 2026-27 campaign tips off. He turns 42 in December but showed last season he can still produce, averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds. His son Bronny James remains with the Lakers, ending the father-son pairing that made history last season. If James stays healthy through his contract, he could be in shape for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, though he has downplayed that possibility. James is the NBA's all-time leading scorer with 43,440 points and has won four championships: 2012 and 2013 with Miami, 2016 with Cleveland, and 2020 with the Lakers.