LeBron James has signed his contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.
ESPN reports that James has put pen to paper and signed the previously agreed upon two-year contract with the 76ers worth nearly $8 million. The deal includes a player option plus a full 15% trade kicker, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.
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He returns to the Eastern Conference after spending the past eight seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers before departing during the offseason as a free agent.
After 24 days from the start of the NBA’s free agency period, James committed to Philadelphia on Friday, July 24.
“I thought I was done when the season ended,” James shared on his social media accounts. “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.”
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
Gold medalist LeBron James of Team United States celebrates on the podium during the Men’s basketball medal ceremony on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on Aug. 10, 2024 in Paris, France.
(Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
Gold medalist LeBron James of Team United States celebrates on the podium during the Men’s basketball medal ceremony on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on Aug. 10, 2024 in Paris, France.
(Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James reacts while holding the Larry O’Brien trophy after defeating the Gold State Warriors to win the NBA Finals on June 19, 2016 in Oakland, California.
Powered by an amazing effort from LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers completed the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history, dethroning defending champion Golden State 93-89 to capture their first NBA title. The Cavaliers won the best-of-seven series 4-3 to claim the first league crown in their 46-season history and deliver the first major sports champion to Cleveland since the 1964 NFL Browns, ending the longest such title drought for any American city.
/ AFP / Beck Diefenbach (Photo credit should read BECK DIEFENBACH/AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP, AFP via Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
Forward LeBron James reacts against the New York Knicks in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2012 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2012 at the American Airines Arena in Miami, Florida. Miami defeated the Knicks 106-94 to advance to the next round four games to one.
(Marc Serota, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
MIAMI, FL – JUNE 21: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat celebrates with the Larry O’Brien Finals Championship trophy after they won 121-106 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Five of the 2012 NBA Finals on June 21, 2012 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
(Mike Ehrmann, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James speaks to the media on an off day following Game Three of the 2014 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at American Airlines Arena on June 11, 2014 in Miami, Florida.
(Alex Trautwig, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second half at the Wells Fargo Center on Jan. 28, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Lakers 118-104.
(Mitchell Leff, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James cries before the Men’s Preliminary Round Group B match Spain vs China at the London 2012 Olympic Games , on July 29, 2012 in London.
(MARK RALSTON, AFP via Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James is injured against the Charlotte Bobcats in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena on April 28, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
(Streeter Lecka, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James argues a foul call with referee John Goble #10 during the second half of a game against the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 25, 2025 in Los Angeles.
(Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James reacts as the Lakers play the Dallas Mavericks in the second half at American Airlines Center on Dec. 25, 2022 in Dallas, Texas.
(Ron Jenkins, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James looks on before playing against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on Jan. 30, 2025 in Washington, DC.
(Patrick Smith, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James signals to teammates after making a three-point shot at the end of the 3rd quarter against the Chicago Bulls in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at the United Center on April 25, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cavaliers defeated the Bulls 121-98.
(Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James reacts during a 117-108 Lakers win over the Miami Heat at Crypto.com Arena on Jan. 15, 2025 in Los Angeles.
(Harry How, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James shouts during a game against CSKA Moscow on October 12, 2010 in Miami, Florida. Miami heat won 96-85 over CSKA Moscow.
(Marc Serota, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers attends a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James reacts against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center on March 27, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
(Michael Reaves, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James sits during a training session in the leadup to the Cleveland Cavaliers exhibition match against the Orlando Magic in Shanghai in October 2007.
(MARK RALSTON, AFP via Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James at Intuit Dome on Jan. 19, 2025 in Inglewood, California.
(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 28, 2025 in Los Angeles.
(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James falls to the court after a foul during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game One of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 19, 2025 in Los Angeles.
(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James reacts during warm up prior to the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game One of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 19, 2025 in Los Angeles.
(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)
James reportedly had several other suitors interested in adding him to their respective rosters, including the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors.
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In his last appearance on the court, he produced a double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds in 40 minutes of play during his last appearance for the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on May 11. The Lakers’ season concluded with a 115-110 Game 4 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
When will LeBron James make his 76ers’ debut?
The 76ers will play a pair of preseason games against the Boston Celtics in October.
The first preseason game will happen in Boston on Saturday, Oct. 10. The Celtics will travel to Philadelphia for a preseason game on Friday, Oct. 16.
The regular-season schedule has not been released.
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James’ status for the games at this point remains uncertain and it’s worth noting the games against the Celtics are the Sixers’ only scheduled preseason contests at present. The Lakers have five preseason games on their docket, for point of comparison, so it’s possible more Sixers preseason games could come into focus later this summer.
James did not participate in preseason games for the Lakers last season and started the regular season sidelined with an injury, but did play in preseason games in 2024 alongside his son Bronny James.
When is LeBron James’ introductory press conference?
A time and date for an introductory press conference has not yet been set by the 76ers.
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James did not have an introductory press conference with the Lakers when he joined the team in 2018 and did not speak to the media in Los Angeles until media day.
Will Bronny James join LeBron in Philly?
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported that agent Rich Paul made it clear that Bronny and LeBron “are not a package deal” and there was no plan in place to reunite them in Philly.
The father-son duo spent the past two seasons as teammates in Los Angeles.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron James signs contract with Philadelphia 76ers | Report
