Lebron James Leaves Lakers, Signs with 76ers in Stunning Free Agency Move
What happened
The NBA's all-time leading scorer is heading to Philadelphia after agreeing to a two-year, $8 million deal in pursuit of another championship.
One of the biggest free agency moves in NBA history is official.
LeBron James is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers and signing a two-year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The deal includes a player option and will send the 41-year-old superstar into his 24th NBA season with a fourth franchise.
James announced the decision in a message on social media, revealing that he seriously considered retirement after the 2025-26 season before deciding he still wanted to compete for another NBA title.
"I still truly love this game, and I have more to give," James wrote.
The move ends James' eight-year run with the Lakers, where he won the 2020 NBA championship and became the league's all-time leading scorer.
Instead, he'll join a Philadelphia team that has aggressively reshaped its roster this offseason. The 76ers already feature former MVP Joel Embiid, All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey, rookie VJ Edgecombe and recently acquired All-NBA forward Jaylen Brown, creating what many expect to be one of the NBA's top championship contenders.
The contract is particularly notable because James reportedly accepted far less than his market value, giving the 76ers additional salary-cap flexibility as they chase their first NBA championship since 1983.
If James completes both seasons of the deal, he would become one of the few players in NBA history to reach a 24th season, adding another milestone to a career that already includes four NBA championships, four MVP awards and the league's all-time scoring record.
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