LeBron James is signing with the 76ers after mulling retirement

Twenty-two-time NBA All-Star LeBron James announced Friday he is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers.

ESPN’s Shams Charania added that the deal is a two-year, $8 million deal with a player option.

“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 said on X.

James added that he contemplated retiring after the Los Angeles Lakers’ season ended with an elimination by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the NBA playoffs.

“I thought I was done when the season ended,” James said. “I wasn’t ready to announce it, and I knew I needed some time to really decide, but I was pretty sure I played my last game. I was honest at that last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and decide if I still love this game. I still truly love this game, and I have more to give.”

James’ deal comes after the four-time NBA champion and all-time leading scorer announced before the start of NBA free agency that he was not re-signing with the Lakers after eight seasons.

Since the announcement, James had been linked to several teams during the offseason, including former squads the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The 76ers’ signing of James comes after a busy offseason highlighted by trading for former NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown in a deal that sent Paul George to the Boston Celtics.

The 41-year-old James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists last season and joins a group that also includes Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

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