The NBA’s All-Time Leading Scorer Said He Nearly Retired Before Choosing Philadelphia for What He Called His “Last Decision”
LeBron James is taking one final shot at an NBA championship with the Philadelphia 76ers.
James announced Friday that he will join Philadelphia on a two-year, $8 million contract that includes a player option. The 41-year-old forward described the move as his “last decision” after seriously considering retirement following the 2025-26 season.
Klutch Sports Group CEO Rich Paul, James’ longtime agent, confirmed the contract terms to ESPN. James earned nearly $53 million during his final season with the Los Angeles Lakers, making his dramatically smaller Philadelphia deal a clear indication that another championship, rather than another major payday, is his priority.
“This is my last decision,” James wrote on X. “I’m not going for money. I’m not going for family. What am I really playing for at this point?”
LeBron James Says He Still Has More to Give
James said he initially believed his historic career had reached its end after the Lakers’ season concluded.
“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 wrote.
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 deicide if I still love
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 24, 2026
After taking several weeks to consider his future, James said his desire to compete remained.
“I still truly love this game, and I have more to give,” he wrote. “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.”
James said he believes his experience and leadership can help transform the 76ers into a championship team.
“I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time,” he wrote.
this game. I still truly love this game, and I have more to give.
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 24, 2026
The last few weeks have really been special. I’ve never been able to have no clue what to do and take real time to just think. I’ve had an incredible few months with all the people I love trying to figure it all
another championship.
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 24, 2026
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.
Thank you LA. Miami I’ll forever love and Northeast Ohio will always home!
🙏🏾🫡👑
The move sends James back to the Eastern Conference and adds him to a Philadelphia roster featuring Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and newly acquired All-Star Jaylen Brown. Maxey, Embiid and Brown reportedly helped recruit James directly, with Maxey leading the effort.
Maxey and James are both represented by Klutch Sports, and Maxey has previously described the veteran superstar as a “big brother.”
Philadelphia Adds LeBron to Championship Push
Philadelphia finished last season with a 45-37 record before being swept by the eventual champion New York Knicks in the second round of the playoffs.
The franchise has not won an NBA championship since 1983. Since that title, Philadelphia has reached the NBA Finals only once, losing to the Lakers in 2001.
James now hopes to end another lengthy championship drought after helping Cleveland win its first NBA title in 2016. That victory delivered the city’s first major professional sports championship in 52 years.
The four-time NBA champion will enter a record-extending 24th season. He is also a four-time league MVP, a 22-time All-Star and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. He averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds across 60 games for Los Angeles last season.
James joins his fourth NBA franchise after playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Lakers. He won two championships with Miami and one each with Cleveland and Los Angeles.
