LeBron James Signs With Philadelphia 76ers As “Last Decision”: “I Am So Excited To Energize A New Fan Base”
LeBron James is not done with the NBA and is headed to Philadelphia, signing with the 76ers.
In a series of social media posts, the former Los Angeles Lakers star explained his decision to stay in the league.
“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,” James posted on X, the microblogging platform formerly known as Twitter. “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.”
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He continued, “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 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?”
The four-time NBA champ said he was ready to put in the work to win a title, adding, “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.”
He’ll certainly have enough help. The 76ers can now field a starting lineup that includes an all-time great in James — who can still be the best player on the floor on any given night, former two-time scoring champion and 2023 league MVP Joel Embid, 2023 NBA champion and Finals MVP Jaylen Brown and the fastest back court in the league, with Tyrese Maxey and V. J. Edgecombe. The question is: Will one ball be enough for this lineup, all of whom are used to having the rock in their hands.
One thing is for certain: The league and its TV partners now have another must-see team in the Eastern Conference and a heated rivalry with the World Champion New York Knicks is bound to be in the offing.
James ended his announcement saying, “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!”
ESPN reported that James signed an $8 million two-year deal with the 76ers. The 41-year-old made almost $53 million playing with the Lakers last year. This is the first time in his career that James, a perenial all star, has not had a max contract.