LeBron James has made his decision – and this time, there was no press conference, no primetime special filmed at a Boys and Girls Club, just a string of tweets.
The 41-year-old free agent announced Friday morning via X that he will sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, ending months of speculation about where the NBA’s all-time leading scorer would play in what he says is the final chapter of his career.
James posted the news in three consecutive tweets, opening with a reflection on his love for the game and the unusual amount of downtime he had this offseason to weigh his future. “I still truly love this game, and I have more to give,” James wrote, adding that the last few weeks had given him rare space to slow down and think things through surrounded by people close to him.
this game. 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 (@KingJames) July 24, 2026
James made clear this wasn’t a money or family-driven move, writing, “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? 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.”
He closed the announcement by confirming the destination – The City of Brotherly Love, which also recently landed former Finals MVP Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics.
“I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team,” James added, saying he’s excited to energize a new fan base as he starts the journey “one last time.” He also sent parting words to his previous stops, thanking Los Angeles, and saying “Miami I’ll forever love and Northeast Ohio will always (be) home!”
The 22-time All-Star is signing a two-year, $8 million deal with a player option, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The move caps a wild final stretch of a free agency saga that had grown increasingly chaotic for “King James” in the past few weeks. As The Dallas Express reported on Tuesday, the Miami Heat’s own social media team briefly published — then scrambled to delete — an “introductory press conference” video suggesting James was returning to South Beach, complete with a July 27 date. That misstep sent prediction markets swinging in Miami’s favor and fueled a fresh round of speculation, even as the Heat insisted no deal had been reached with James and his agent.
Philadelphia was among the top contenders on agent Rich Paul’s shortlist, alongside the Cavaliers, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Heat, Knicks, Warriors, Celtics, Spurs and, briefly, the Mavericks. Dallas’ inclusion on that list was always more about a lifestyle appeal than basketball fit, with Paul citing golf and the city’s business ties rather than any roster fit alongside Cooper Flagg or Kyrie Irving.
James now heads to Philadelphia as a free agent for the first time since 2018, following his departure from the Lakers after telling the team he would not return for the 2026-27 season. The 76ers have been searching for star power to pair with their Brown and All-Star center Joel Embiid. By landing a player of James’ stature — even at 41 — the team instantly reshapes the outlook of the Eastern Conference next year.
Provided by Dallas Express
