The Philadelphia 76ers have confirmed the signing of LeBron James, with the NBA star saying he will join the franchise next season on what he expects to be his final contract in the league.
According to BBC News, the 41-year-old leaves the Los Angeles Lakers after eight years. James is the NBA’s all-time leading points scorer and has won four championships, being named Finals Most Valuable Player each time his team took the title.
Josh Harris, the 76ers’ ownership managing partner, said in a statement that he was “thrilled” to welcome James to Philadelphia, describing him as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
James said on X that he believed he could help the 76ers become a championship team and was excited to begin “one last” journey with a new fanbase.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat had also been linked with James. The Miami Heat earlier posted a link to an “introductory press conference” for him by mistake, with a spokesperson telling Reuters it had been uploaded in error while staff prepared for the possibility of his return.
James previously won two NBA titles with Miami, one with Cleveland and one with the Lakers. He has also been named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player four times and has been selected as an All-Star in each of the past 22 seasons.
ESPN has reported that James has agreed a two-year deal, including a player option for the second year, worth $8m (£6m). His average salary with the Lakers last season was $50.7m (£38m).
The 76ers reached the Conference semi-finals in last season’s play-offs, losing to the eventual champions, the New York Knicks. They have since acquired Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics in a deal involving Paul George and future draft picks.
