LeBron James-76ers: “I Thought About Retirement, But I Still Want to Win”
LeBron James has chosen the Philadelphia 76ers. After seriously considering retirement, King James is returning to the court on a two-year contract with one goal in mind: winning another NBA championship
After days of uncertainty, reflection, and the very real possibility of calling it a career, LeBron James has decided to keep playing—and he’ll do it with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The four-time NBA MVP announced the decision himself on social media, while his agent Rich Paul confirmed the agreement to ESPN: a two-year, $8 million contract with a player option. A symbolic salary compared to the approximately $53 million he earned last season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
LeBron James Seriously Considered Retirement
The decision did not come easily. At the end of the 2025-26 season, LeBron believed he had played the final game of his legendary career.
I thought I was done when the season ended. 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 deicide if I still love
LeBron James
The 23-time All-Star explained that he stepped away from the spotlight for several weeks to determine whether he still had the motivation to continue.
I still truly love this game, and I have more to give. The last few weeks have really been special. I’ve never been able to have no clue what to do and take real time to just think. I’ve had an incredible few months with all the people I love trying to figure it all
LeBron James
“This Is My Final Decision”
In the lengthy message posted on X, LeBron revealed that joining the 76ers will be the final decision of his NBA career.
This is my last decision. I’m not going for money. I’m not going for family. What am I really playing for at this point?
LeBron James
His answer was simple.
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
LeBron James
Those words make it clear that his top priority was finding the best opportunity to compete for another NBA title.
Why LeBron James Chose the Philadelphia 76ers
According to ESPN, Philadelphia spent weeks working behind the scenes to convince LeBron to join the franchise.
Team president Mike Gansey, who previously worked with James in Cleveland, remained in constant contact with Rich Paul. Meanwhile, Bob Myers, now president of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, publicly made his recruiting pitch during the Game Over podcast.
If his goal is to win, I genuinely believe Philadelphia is his best opportunity
Mike Gansey
The recruiting effort didn’t stop there.
Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and newly acquired Jaylen Brown also helped persuade the four-time NBA champion. Maxey, in particular, who has developed a close relationship with LeBron over the years, reportedly played a significant role in the conversations.
The Goal: Bring an NBA Title Back to Philadelphia
With this signing, LeBron will begin his 24th NBA season, setting a new all-time league record.
The mission is clear: bring the Larry O’Brien Trophy back to Philadelphia, a city that has been waiting for an NBA championship since 1983. It would be a feat similar to what LeBron accomplished in 2016, when he led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the first championship in franchise history after a 52-year drought.
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.
LeBron James
LeBron’s Farewell to the Lakers, Heat, and Cavaliers
In his emotional social media post, LeBron also took time to thank the three cities that defined his career. Before beginning his new chapter in Philadelphia, the four-time NBA champion shared a heartfelt farewell with fans of the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Thank you LA. Miami I’ll forever love and Northeast Ohio will always home!
LeBron James
A short but meaningful message honoring the franchises and fan bases that were part of some of the greatest moments of his legendary career before officially turning the page with the Philadelphia 76ers.
An Even More Competitive Eastern Conference
LeBron now enters an Eastern Conference loaded with championship contenders. Alongside his new 76ers, he’ll face the Miami Heat led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Cleveland Cavaliers with Donovan Mitchell, and the defending champion New York Knicks.
On paper, Philadelphia now boasts one of the NBA’s most talented lineups, featuring Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid, instantly making the 76ers one of the favorites to win the NBA championship.