![\"Anthony](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/e1a7bea2f8287b33f2d4c3bbc5cd5ca7.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nLeBron James’s first “final” decision was that he would retire.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Weeks of deep reflection led him to change his mind, however, with all the familiar options in front of him to extend his career; a third trip with Cleveland, a second stop in Miami, maybe even stay in California for a high-profile union in Golden State.<\/p>\n
But it was nope to all of those teams.<\/p>\n
The blaring headline in bold letters still seemed like a feverish dream to the bulk of a fan base who was not even alive the last time the franchise won a title, but it is true:<\/p>\n
LeBron James is heading to the Philadelphia 76ers.<\/p>\n
Loading Instagram content<\/p>\n
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer made the announcement on social media overnight, saying it will be his “last decision” and that it comes after he strongly considered retirement.<\/p>\n
“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,” James said.<\/p>\n
A four-time NBA champion, James wrote he was “done” when his 23rd NBA season ended and that it was his last with the Los Angeles Lakers.<\/p>\n
“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,” James wrote.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“I still truly love this game, and I have more to give.”<\/p>\n
The 41-year-old James is set to sign a modest $US8 million ($11.4 million), two-year contract on the veteran minimum salary with the Sixers, according to ESPN. He made nearly $53 million last season.<\/p>\n
“I’m not going for money. I’m not going for family,” James wrote.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
James celebrated his decision on Instagram with a career highlight reel set to Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill’s Dreams and Nightmares, the adopted sports anthem of city teams.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
LeBron James left the Los Angeles Lakers, with rumours connecting him to Miami, Cleveland, or another team in LA. (Getty Images: Harry How)<\/p>\n
The video ends with the lyric, “hold up, wait a minute. Y’all thought I was finished?” and cuts to a 76ers’ logo.<\/p>\n
Sportswear company Fanatics already had his number 23 jersey on sale for $125 with delivery not expected until the end of August. The company sold out within hours of the announcement.<\/p>\n
Much as James did for Cleveland when he ended a 56-year championship drought for the city by leading the Cavaliers to the title in 2016, he can snap a lengthy title drought for the Sixers.<\/p>\n
The Sixers went 45-37 last season and were swept in the second round by the NBA champion New York Knicks.<\/p>\n
Most betting sites had the Sixers as 9-1 favourites to win the championship behind the Oklahoma City Thunder, the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks, as of Saturday morning.<\/p>\n
James joins a 76ers team that has not won an NBA championship since 1983 and has not advanced out of the second round of the Eastern Conference play-offs since 2001.<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/0b80dd61737dc26a89351ee25a9daedc.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Philadelphia star Tyrese Maxey reacts to the news LeBron James is joining the team. (Instagram: @tyresemaxey)<\/p>\n
The 76ers should boast one of the top starting fives in the NBA with second-year standout VJ Edgecombe, fellow All-Stars Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown \u2014 the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, a five-time All-Star and the league’s fourth-leading scorer this past season acquired in a stunning off-season deal with the Celtics.<\/p>\n