National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar LeBron James is set to begin the next chapter of his storied NBA career with the Philadelphia 76ers, less than a month after ending an eight-year run with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Reports indicate that the NBA's all-time leading scorer has agreed to a two-year contract worth $8 million (Sh1 billion) with the Philadelphia 76ers. The deal includes a player option, meaning James can decide whether to remain with the team for the second year or become a free agent.
James confirmed the move in a post on X, revealing that he spent the weeks after the 2025/26 NBA season ended reflecting on whether he still had the desire to continue playing after initially believing his career might be over.
“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. 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,” he said.
According to James, 41, his decision was driven by his determination to keep competing at the highest level and pursue another NBA title, rather than financial considerations.
“I’m not going for money. I’m not going for family. What am I really playing for at this point? 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 said.
James also expressed confidence that he can help Philadelphia challenge for the NBA title as he prepares to embark on what he described as the final chapter of his playing career.
"I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energise a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time," he wrote.
James joined the Lakers in 2018 and spent eight seasons with the franchise, highlighted by the 2020 NBA championship won during the pandemic. Despite being in his 23rd NBA season, he continued to perform at an elite level, averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds.
Widely regarded as one of basketball's greatest players, James has won four NBA titles, four MVP awards and earned 22 All-Star selections during a career that also saw him become the league's all-time leading scorer. He previously played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Miami Heat before joining the Lakers.
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