LeBron James 76ers deal becomes official with No. 23 locker reveal
The 76ers announced LeBron James’ two-year veteran minimum deal and marked it with a crown-topped No. 23 jersey photo.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
The LeBron James 76ers era is now on the books, and Philadelphia marked the moment with one very royal locker-room image: a blue No. 23 jersey hanging beneath a crown.
The Philadelphia 76ers and James announced Monday that his two-year contract is official. The Associated Press reported the deal is for the veteran’s minimum, worth $8 million in total.
James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, had revealed his pick on social media Friday. He called it his “last decision” and said it came after he strongly weighed retirement, according to the Associated Press.
The move puts one of basketball’s most decorated players onto a Sixers roster already featuring Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and VJ Edgecombe. Philadelphia went 45-37 last season and was swept in the second round by the New York Knicks, who went on to win the NBA championship, according to the report.
Why did LeBron James join the 76ers?
James said he believes he can help turn Philadelphia into a championship team and said he is excited to play for a new fan base “one last time.” He had previously written that he was “done” after his 23rd NBA season, which was his final one with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to the Associated Press.
The Sixers have not won the NBA title since 1983. They also have not advanced beyond the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs since 2001, according to the report.
Team president Mike Gansey praised James’ place in the sport, saying there was “no doubt” he is among the greatest players in basketball history and that words could not measure his expected impact on the organization.
Owner Josh Harris said he was eager to see James play with Brown, Edgecombe, Embiid, Maxey and the rest of the roster as the franchise tries to bring a championship to Philadelphia.
What has LeBron James done in the NBA?
James’ résumé remains one of the longest in league history. The Associated Press listed him as a 22-time All-Star, 21-time All-NBA selection, four-time MVP, four-time NBA Finals MVP, three-time All-Star Game MVP and a member of the NBA’s 75th anniversary team.
He averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists last season. Across more than 1,600 career games, James has averaged 26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.4 assists, according to the report.
His career began in Cleveland in 2003. He spent seven seasons with the Cavaliers, won two titles during four seasons with the Miami Heat, returned to Cleveland and led the Cavaliers to the 2016 championship, then joined the Lakers in 2018 and won another title in 2020.
James is the first player in NBA history to win NBA Finals MVP with three different franchises, according to the Associated Press.
The signing also reunites James with Gansey, who was hired by Philadelphia in late May after the team fired Daryl Morey. Gansey joined Cleveland in 2011 and had been the Cavaliers’ general manager since 2022.
The two go back to Ohio high school basketball. Gansey, then at Olmsted Falls High School, finished second to James for Ohio’s Mr. Basketball award in 2001. James won that honor three times at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School before entering the NBA directly instead of attending college.
James also signaled that his work had already resumed. On Monday morning, he posted Instagram story videos from the gym with the caption, “It’s that time again. 4:12 AM. Let’s get it,” according to the Associated Press.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.