LeBron James to join 76ers for 24th season: 'This is my last decision'

LeBron James announced Friday that he will join the Philadelphia 76ers for his record-extending 24th NBA season, vowing to help the franchise end a 43-year championship drought. The league's all-time leading scorer spent the last eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning a title in 2020, and now moves to a young 76ers team that reached the second round of the 2026 playoffs.

'This is my last decision'

In a social media post, James wrote: “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.” He added that he believes he can help make the 76ers a championship team and is excited to energize a new fan base. James also thanked Los Angeles, Miami, and Northeast Ohio, calling the latter “home.”

Political backdrop

President Donald Trump weighed in when asked to compare James to Michael Jordan. Trump said Jordan is a friend and “a really good guy,” then added: “I think LeBron is – maybe he’s a racist, but maybe he doesn’t like Trump. I don’t know. I only like people that like me, so I would say Michael Jordan all the way.” James has endorsed Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris in the past three elections. He also criticized Trump in 2017 after Trump withdrew a White House invitation to the Golden State Warriors following Stephen Curry's statement that he would decline.

Fit with the 76ers

James will join a 76ers team that secured the seventh seed via the play-in tournament and then fell to the eventual champion New York Knicks in the second round of the 2026 playoffs. He did not disclose contract terms, but ESPN reported a two-year, $8 million deal with a player option. Several teams pursued the 41-year-old free agent, including Cleveland, Miami, Golden State, and Minnesota.

Longevity and legacy

James last March surpassed Robert Parish's record for most regular-season games played. In February, he earned a record 22nd consecutive All-Star selection, averaging 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists over 60 games last season. His 2025-26 campaign ended when the Lakers were swept from the second round of the playoffs. “I thought I was done when the season ended,” James said in his announcement. “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.” He added that the last few weeks of reflection reaffirmed his love for the game. In October 2024, James and his son Bronny became the first father-son duo to play together in a regular-season NBA game, fulfilling a long-held goal.

James, a four-time NBA Finals MVP, joined the Lakers in 2018. He set the record for the longest career in NBA history last year, surpassing Vince Carter's 22 seasons. Now, he brings his unmatched experience to a 76ers squad with championship aspirations. His arrival immediately elevates Philadelphia's title hopes and reshapes the Eastern Conference landscape. The 2026-27 season will be closely watched as James attempts to add a fifth ring to his legacy.