LeBron James signs with Philadelphia 76ers for record-extending 24th NBA season

LeBron James is heading to the Philadelphia 76ers for a record-extending 24th NBA season, the veteran forward has confirmed, ending an eight-year run with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The game's all-time leading scorer guided the Lakers to a championship in 2020. Before arriving in Los Angeles, he had two separate spells with the Cleveland Cavaliers and spent four seasons with the Miami Heat.

Now 41, James has kept up his elite output. In March he passed Robert Parish for the most regular-season games played in league history, and last February he collected a record 22nd straight All-Star selection. Across 60 outings that season he averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists.

James did not reveal the details of his new deal. ESPN reported that the four-time NBA champion and four-time Most Valuable Player agreed to a two-year contract worth $8 million that includes a player option.

In Philadelphia, he joins a roster built around Embiid, Maxey and Jaylen Brown, who was acquired earlier. James's decision immediately reshaped the title picture, with the 76ers' odds to win the championship shortening from 20-1 to 10-1.

The franchise reached the 2026 NBA playoffs as the Eastern Conference's seventh seed after coming through the play-in tournament, then bowed out in the second round to the eventual champions, the New York Knicks.