This offseason, LeBron James shocked the basketball world by signing a two-year, $8 million veteran minimum contract with the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers. James was previously signed with the Los Angeles Lakers from 2018 to 2026.
After achieving his longtime goal of playing alongside his son, Bronny James, in an NBA game, in addition to winning a championship with Los Angeles in 2020, both sides agreed it was time to turn the page. Many thought that James, who is 41 years old, would have retired after a decorated and dominant 23-year career. However, in this era of the NBA, players like James, who invest millions of dollars in maintaining their physical fitness, can play far longer than ever before. James referred to this signing as his “last decision” on X, writing: “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.”
In James’ move to join the 76ers, he took the largest voluntary pay cut in NBA history, going from a $52.6 million salary to $4 million per year, a 92.6 percent decrease.
James has made it clear that this was a legacy decision rather than a money move. By joining the 76ers, head coach Nick Nurse now has a super team consisting of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and newly acquired star Jaylen Brown. Brown was acquired through a blockbuster trade with the Boston Celtics, with Philadelphia sending Paul George and four draft picks in return. George’s two-year stint in Philadelphia fell short of expectations, with the 76ers missing the playoffs in 2025 before reaching the semifinals in 2026. This new lineup now looks like the team to beat in the NBA’s Eastern Conference.
As of Aug. 12, the Lakers were sold to new owners Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for $12.5 billion, breaking the record for the largest-ever sale of a U.S. professional sports franchise. With this valuation, the Lakers cement themselves as the most valuable franchise in North American professional sports. While the team still maintains star power like Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, James’ departure will likely mean fewer nationally televised games for the team. However, they are still a talented team in the Western Conference and should be able to compete despite the roster changes.
While Philadelphia is a beloved city to many, James could reportedly be living in New York City and is said to be considering commuting by helicopter each day for practices, games and other team events. While this is rare, it is not unprecedented, as J.J. Redick—who currently coaches the Lakers—commuted from Brooklyn during his 76ers days from 2017 to 2019, as did Wilt Chamberlain during his time with the team, when they were the Warriors. Regardless of his commute to the job, it is clear that James is returning with one goal in mind: getting to work and putting a bow on his highly decorated, Hall of Fame-caliber career.