LeBron James Signs with 76ers After Leaving Lakers
LeBron James concluded his time with the Lakers at the end of June, leaving fans in suspense about his next move.
Now, it seems the dust has settled on his future.
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer is making a shift from Los Angeles, signing with the Philadelphia 76ers after spending eight years in California, according to reports from ESPN.
His new deal is said to be a two-year contract worth $8 million.
By choosing to become an unrestricted free agent, James wraps up his longest stint with any team, officially surpassing his initial seven seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Joining the 76ers, he’s set to team up with recently acquired Jaylen Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP. This adds to an already strong roster that includes All-NBA guard Tyrese Maxey, 2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid, and rookie standout V.J. Edgecomb.
At 41, James has delivered impressive stats: averaging 25.9 points, 7.9 assists, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.2 steals since joining the Lakers in 2018.
As he approaches 42 this December, he recorded an average of 20.9 points, along with 7.2 assists, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in his 23rd NBA season—a season filled with ups and downs. He started off missing 14 games due to sciatica and had to adjust as the Lakers’ No. 3 option for much of the season, falling behind players like Luka Doncic and Austin Reeves.
However, as the season climaxed and those players were injured, James reclaimed the spotlight, leading the Lakers on a six-game playoff win streak against the Rockets.
His legacy with the Lakers is undeniably impressive. James was an eight-time All-Star, a seven-time All-NBA player, a champion, and even earned the title of NBA Finals MVP in 2020, as well as the 2023 NBA Cup Champion.
On February 7, 2023, he surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring record, bringing his career regular-season total to 43,440 points.
Originally, he signed a massive four-year, $154 million contract with the Lakers during the 2018 offseason, completing his second spell with the Cavaliers.
Looking back, his first season with the Lakers was rocky. In December 2021, he faced a groin injury that sidelined him for 17 games, a significant setback and the Lakers’ playoff hopes were dashed during that season.
After some offseason adjustments, including trading star player Anthony Davis and bringing in coach Frank Vogel, James and the Lakers rallied to capture the NBA title in 2020.
The journey between James and the Lakers has been quite turbulent over the years, often filled with clashes and reconciliations.
This time, however, things feel different. The Lakers expressed interest in bringing James back, but focusing on building a team around Doncic, who had taken over when James was traded to Los Angeles in February 2025, wasn’t a primary concern.
Once James announced his departure, the Lakers made several notable signings in free agency to bolster the roster.
As it appears, James will conclude his illustrious career elsewhere, yet his contributions helped restore the Lakers’ prominence in the league.
