LeBron James has officially signed a two-year contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, marking a new chapter in his storied NBA career. The NBA confirmed the transaction on its official log Sunday, a move that comes after James expressed his desire to compete for another championship.
James, 41, is reportedly set to earn $8 million over the two-year deal, a significant reduction from his nearly $53 million salary in the previous season with the Los Angeles Lakers. To accommodate James' salary without exceeding the league's first apron, the 76ers waived former first-round pick Dalen Terry.
The move also reunites James with former Lakers teammate Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who was waived by the Memphis Grizzlies and is expected to join the Philadelphia squad. James and Caldwell-Pope were part of the Lakers team that won the 2020 NBA championship.
In a heartfelt statement released on Friday, James explained his decision to leave Los Angeles after eight years. "I still truly love this game, and I have more to give," he wrote on X. "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 another championship." He added, "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."
The NBA star's decision sent ripples through the basketball community. Following the announcement of his impending move, former U.S. President Donald Trump commented on James during a press conference, questioning his character and stating, "maybe he's a racist." Trump was discussing the greatest basketball player of all time, contrasting James with his friend Michael Jordan.