LeBron James is receiving a warm welcome from the City of Brotherly Love this Friday, and rightfully so.
Despite all the buzz surrounding the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat in free agency, James decided to sign a two-year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. This is a substantial pay cut for the four-time MVP considering he made nearly $53 million from the Los Angeles Lakers this past season.
James, who averaged 20.9 points and 7.2 assists per game last season, will now join a starting lineup that features Jaylen Brown, VJ Edgecombe, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images.
After the news of James heading to Philly was confirmed, Pennsvyvalnia Gov. Josh Shapiro welcomed him to the Northeast.
Shapiro, a diehard 76ers fan, claims July 24, 2026 will forever be known as LeBron James Day in Pennsvyvalnia.
"LEBRON IS COMING TO PHILLY," he wrote on X. "By the power vested in me as the Governor of the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a die-hard Sixers fan... I hereby proclaim today to be LEBRON JAMES DAY. Welcome to the City of Brotherly Love, @KingJames."
Why did LeBron choose the 76ers?
James confirmed this Friday that Philadelphia will be his last stop. He ultimately believes the 76ers will give him the best chance to compete for another championship.
“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 decide if I still love 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 out,” James wrote on social media.
“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. 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. Thank you LA. Miami I’ll forever love and Northeast Ohio will always home!”
