James makes decision, signs with Philadelphia 76ers

PHILADELPHIA – The NBA’s most highly touted free agent is returning to the Eastern Conference. Shams Charania of ESPN reported Friday morning that LeBron James is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $8 million contract with a player option. Klutch Sports Group and Klutch CEO Rich Paul told ESPN. Last season with the Los Angeles Lakers, James averaged just under 20 points per game in his 23rd NBA season. The 76ers team is one that has overhauled the top of its roster since the start of the offseason. Philadelphia previously traded Paul George and draft capital to the rival Boston Celtics in the deal to acquire All-NBA forward Jaylen Brown in the most shocking move of the summer. Now they’ll add James to an imposing core that also features All-NBA guard Tyrese Maxey, former MVP center Joel Embiid and rising star guar VJ Edgecombe.

“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?” James wrote on X. “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.

“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.”

The Sixers went 45-37 last season and lost to the eventual-champion New York Knicks 4-0 in the second round of the playoffs. It has been more than four decades since the 76ers last won the title (1983), and they have only two other conference finals appearances and one NBA Finals appearance in that span.