Four-time NBA champion LeBron James signed a two-year, $8-million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, formally teaming up with Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey for the 2026-27 season.
The signing came three days after the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player made his latest decision on social media that he would be playing in Philadelphia after stints with the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers.
James, who turns 42 in December, also announced that he is getting ready to help the 76ers win their first championship since 1983 and fourth overall by posting videos on Instagram with the caption:
“It’s that time again. 4:12 AM. Let’s get it.”
The Philadelphia 76ers sent the message that James was indeed – officially and perhaps amazingly – on the roster with a straightforward photo of James’ blue No. 23 jersey hanging in a locker with a crown as a nod to his King nickname on the shelf.
76ers team officials welcome LeBron James
In a statement, team president Mike Gansey admitted there are no words to measure the impact James will have on the organization.
Gansey and James used to be high school rivals in Ohio with the latter winning the state’s Mr. Basketball award in 2001 when he was with St. Vincent-St. Mary’s High School.
Gansey, from Olmsted Falls High School, was runner-up to James but worked for Cleveland in 2011 and became the Cavaliers’ general manager in 2022 before he was named as president in Philadelphia, replacing Daryl Morey.
Gansey described James as a “consummate professional, the ultimate competitor and a tireless worker.”
He also pointed out that the former No.1 overall pick in the NBA draft is an “incredible person with natural leadership traits, a family man, and someone who possesses unwavering commitment to community and those around him.”
James’ value to the Sixers
Team owner Josh Harris expressed excitement with James playing alongside Brown, Edgecombe, Embiid and Maxey, saying he cannot wait to see the team “work to deliver a championship for Philly”.
The Sixers went 45-37 last season and were swept in the second round by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks.
James, who is the league’s all-time leading scorer and a 21-time All-NBA selection, averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game last season with the Lakers.
He is the first player in NBA history to be named NBA Finals MVP with three different franchises.
He has taken teams into the NBA playoffs 19 times, matching a league record, with post-season averages of 28.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocked shots over 302 games.
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