LeBron James has signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, concluding his eight-year tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers. The league's all-time leading scorer made the decision as an unrestricted free agent after his contract with the Lakers expired at the end of June.
James reportedly agreed to a two-year contract worth $8 million with the 76ers. This move marks the end of his longest consecutive stint with a single franchise, surpassing the seven seasons he played for the Cleveland Cavaliers at the beginning of his career.
In Philadelphia, James will join a roster that includes 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, All-NBA guard Tyrese Maxey, and 2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid. The team also features All-Rookie first team honoree V.J. Edgecombe.
During his time with the Lakers, James averaged 25.9 points, 7.9 assists, and 7.7 rebounds per game. In his 23rd NBA season, the 41-year-old averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds. He played a crucial role in leading the Lakers to a first-round playoff series victory over the Rockets in the season's closing stages, stepping back into the primary offensive role when other key players were sidelined.
James' Lakers career included numerous accolades, such as an NBA championship and NBA Finals MVP in 2020, an NBA Cup championship in 2023, and being named an eight-time All-Star and seven-time All-NBA honoree. He also surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's regular-season scoring record, reaching 43,440 points.
James initially signed with the Lakers in the 2018 offseason on a four-year, $154 million deal. The team experienced an initial setback in the 2018-19 season following an injury to James, but rebounded to win the 2020 NBA title after acquiring Anthony Davis and hiring Frank Vogel as head coach.
The Lakers reportedly wished to re-sign James, but their priority shifted towards building around Luka Doncic, who was traded to Los Angeles in February 2025. Following James' decision not to return, the Lakers made several other free agency moves, signing players such as Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler, and Quentin Grimes to multi-year contracts.