LeBron James 76ers signing puts Philly at center of NBA buzz
ESPN says LeBron James is joining the 76ers on a two-year, $8 million deal, pairing him with Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
LeBron James is bound for Philadelphia, with ESPN's Shams Charania reporting Friday that the LeBron James 76ers signing is a two-year, $8 million deal.
The move puts the four-time NBA champion on a 76ers roster already featuring former MVP Joel Embiid, former Finals MVP Jaylen Brown and two-time All-Star Tyrese Maxey, according to ESPN.
James had told the Los Angeles Lakers he would not be coming back, ESPN reported. After that, Philadelphia was one of several teams to check in on him, along with the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, according to ESPN.
Why did LeBron James choose the 76ers?
James said in posts on X that he considered whether he still loved basketball after the season ended and decided he had more to give. He said he still wanted to work, compete and chase another championship.
In the same posts, James said this would be his final decision and that he believed he could help make Philadelphia a championship team. He also thanked Los Angeles, Miami and Northeast Ohio while reflecting on the earlier stops in his career.
ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported on July 14 that Embiid, Brown and Maxey had been speaking with James during his free agency, with Maxey taking a lead role in the recruitment. ESPN reported that the pitch worked 10 days later.
Philadelphia had become a more serious option for James after the 76ers acquired Brown in a July 1 trade, ESPN reported. That deal reshaped the Sixers' star power before James made his call.
What is LeBron James' 76ers contract?
Charania reported that James is signing for two years and $8 million. The contract places him alongside Embiid, Brown and Maxey as Philadelphia loads up for a title push, according to ESPN's reporting.
James' new teammate Brown reacted quickly on X, posting the hashtag “#throwtheballup.” The short message landed as the first wave of reaction rolled in from around basketball.
Caitlin Clark also found out about the news during a press conference and reacted live, according to a video posted by Scott Agness on X and cited by ESPN.
ESPN framed the move as one that drew attention across the sports world, with James' decision following weeks of uncertainty about whether he would keep playing. James said on X that he had taken time with people close to him before deciding what he wanted next.
For the 76ers, the reported signing adds one of the NBA's most decorated players to a group already built around proven stars. For James, according to his own posts, the next stop is about one more run at the feeling of winning another championship.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.