James joins Philadelphia for final act
LeBron James has announced his decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers for his 24th NBA season. This move comes with the aim of helping the franchise end a 43-year championship drought. James, the league’s all-time leading scorer, spent the last eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, leading them to a title in 2020.
His career has included two separate stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and four years with the Miami Heat. James stated on social media that this is his “last decision,” emphasizing his desire to compete, win, and have a chance at another championship. He expressed excitement about energizing a new fan base and starting this journey one last time.
Contract details and team outlook
While James did not disclose the terms of his deal, reports indicate that the four-time champion signed a two-year, US$8-million contract, which includes a player option. This move makes James a free agent, with his mission focused on finding “basketball happiness.” He chose Philadelphia, signing a minimum contract.
The 76ers, who reached the 2026 NBA playoffs as the seventh seed through a play-in tournament, fell to the New York Knicks in the second round. The team features talent such as Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Joel Embiid. The 76ers are a deeply rooted franchise with a history that includes prominent players like Dolph Schayes, Hal Greer, Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Erving, Charles Barkley, and Allen Iverson. The team’s last title was in 1983.
Bronny James’ trade status
Following James’s signing with the 76ers, questions have arisen regarding the trade status of his eldest son, Bronny James. Some believe it is possible for the 76ers to acquire the 21-year-old Lakers guard to complement their new superstar forward. NBA reporter Evan Sidery suggested that a trade for Bronny would not be challenging for Philadelphia to complete.
Sidery indicated that Philadelphia could offer the Lakers a future second-round pick for Bronny by absorbing his minimum salary into their available $2.3 million TPE. However, a recent report from Dan Woike of The Athletic suggests that Los Angeles values the former second-round pick and intends to retain him. Woike also noted that LeBron’s decision to leave Los Angeles is not viewed as being related to Bronny James’s standing with the team. Bronny and LeBron James made history in October 2024 as the first father-son duo to play together in a regular-season NBA game.
James’s enduring performance
Despite turning 41, James continues to perform at an elite level. He earned his 22nd consecutive All-Star selection last February. During the past season, he averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists over 60 games. His season concluded when the Lakers were swept from the second round of the playoffs.
James surpassed Robert Parish’s record for most career regular-season games played last March. He also set the league record for the longest career in NBA history last year, surpassing Vince Carter’s mark of 22 seasons. James was the first pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Source: sportsnet.ca
