LeBron James, who announced last month he was parting ways with the Lakers, said today he will play his record 24th NBA season in Philadelphia. The 41-year-old star announced on social media he was signing with the 76ers, saying he still has the desire to compete for another NBA championship.
“I thought I was done when the season ended,” James wrote. “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 this game. I still truly love this game, and I have more to give.
“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 out. 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? 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.”
James’ agent told ESPN that James was signing a two-year, $8 million deal with the 76ers. The announcement quashes early speculation that James might head to the Golden State Warriors to play with perennial All-Star Steph Curry. Reports also circulated that he might return to the Miami Heat, or his first team, the Cleveland Cavaliers.
But instead, James will team up with Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid, point guard Tyrese Maxey, and forward Jaylen Brown, whom the team recently acquired from the Boston Celtics. James informed the Lakers in late June that he planned to play another
season in the league, but not in Los Angeles.
Lakers President/Governor/Co-owner Jeanie Buss issued a statement at the time saying, “LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in history. We will always be thankful for his eight years with the Lakers – including the title he led us to in 2020 under the toughest imaginable circumstances and the countless records he broke in purple and gold. We wish him all the best in the future, both on the court and off. He will always be a cherished part of the Lakers family.”
A four-time NBA most valuable player, James has won four NBA championships with three different teams – twice with the Miami Heat, once with the Cleveland Cavaliers and once with the Lakers. He was named the NBA Finals MVP in each of those championship runs.
James is a 22-time All-Star and three-time All-Star Game MVP. Next season will be James’ 24th in the league, an NBA record. He began his career out of high school with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He joined the Lakers in 2018.
