After months of swirling trade speculation across the league, 41-year-old NBA icon LeBron James has made a bombshell announcement that will reshape the landscape of the league for the upcoming season: he is set to join the Philadelphia 76ers, and the franchise will mark the final stop of his legendary professional basketball career.
The 18-time All-Star made the revelation public via social media platform X on Friday, closing an months-long guessing game that had dozens of teams linked to the future Hall of Famer. James wrapped up eight consecutive seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers this year, and enters free agency having cemented his status as one of the greatest players to ever step onto an NBA court.
The 76ers beat out a stacked field of suitors to land James, with the Cleveland Cavaliers — where James launched his hall-of-fame career and won his first championship — the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and four-time champion LeBron James’ former team Miami Heat all previously reported to be in the running to sign the veteran.
In his official announcement posted to X, James shared his enthusiasm for the next and final chapter of his playing career. “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 wrote.
As of Friday, details of James’ contract with the 76ers have not yet been released to the public. More updates on this developing story are expected to emerge in the coming days as the team prepares for James’ official introduction.