LeBron James joins Philadelphia 76ers in final NBA move after weighing retirement

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — LeBron James is set to join the Philadelphia 76ers.

The four-time NBA champion revealed the move on social media on Friday, describing it as his “last decision” and noting he had come close to hanging up his sneakers for good.

“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,” James said.

After wrapping his 23rd season in the league — his final campaign with the Los Angeles Lakers — James said he felt he was “done.”

“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,” James wrote. “I still truly love this game, and I have more to give.”

At 41, James is expected to ink a modest two-year pact worth US$8 million with Philadelphia, ESPN reported. He earned close to US$53 million in his most recent season.

“I’m not going for money. I’m not going for family,” James wrote. “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.”

Philadelphia has gone without an NBA title since 1983 and has not progressed beyond the Eastern Conference playoffs’ second round since 2001. James will line up alongside All-Stars Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown, who arrived from the Boston Celtics in a major offseason trade.