PHILADELPHIA — LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, announced Friday morning that he will play for the 76ers next season, saying he believes he can make them a championship team. Local Eagles Super Bowl champion Saquon Barkley, and Gov. Josh Shapiro are helping welcome LeBron James to Pennsylvania.
“Welcome to the city! Let me know when you tryna tee it up 🏌🏽⛳️,” Barkley said in an X post.
Welcome to the city! Let me know when you tryna tee it up 🏌🏽⛳️ @KingJames
— Saquon Barkley (@saquon) July 24, 2026
Shapiro wrote on X, “LEBRON IS COMING TO PHILLY. By the power vested in me as the Governor of the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a die-hard Sixers fan… I hereby proclaim today to be LEBRON JAMES DAY. Welcome to the City of Brotherly Love.”
LEBRON IS COMING TO PHILLY.
By the power vested in me as the Governor of the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a die-hard Sixers fan… I hereby proclaim today to be LEBRON JAMES DAY.
Welcome to the City of Brotherly Love, @KingJames. pic.twitter.com/JHsNkCFyyN
— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) July 24, 2026
James’ agent Rich Paul told ESPN on Friday that James is signing a two-year deal with the 76ers worth $8 million, a salary just over the veteran minimum. James announced the move on Instagram with a career retrospective video set to Philadelphia native Meek Mill’s “Dreams and Nightmares” that ends with a 76ers logo.
The 41-year-old is arguably the best to ever do it, looking for a coda to his stellar career. The 22-time All-Star won NBA titles with Miami in 2012 and 2013, with Cleveland in 2016 and with the Lakers in 2020. He was the finals MVP all four times. A four-time regular-season MVP and 13-time All-NBA first-teamer is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, setting records that are likely to never be surpassed.
He’s played 302 career playoff games, averaging 28.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 7.2 assists in more than 41.2 minutes per game.