LeBron James chooses his next team: all the details

The wait is over. The drama is over. The torture is over. Just as, for many, the patience had run out. One way or another, that’s one of the things about LeBron James: he never leaves anyone indifferent. At last, the King has made his decision. He is not returning home to the Cavaliers, nor is he embarking on a new chapter with the Heat. He is not reuniting with his friends on the Warriors, either. Instead, the superstar, approaching his 42nd birthday and his 24th season as a professional, has chosen the Philadelphia 76ers as the place for one final great adventure. Joining a team with a roster capable of competing for a championship, and in one of the United States’ great basketball cities, the NBA’s reigning monarch arrives at a franchise that has always been part of the conversation but has never truly been considered the leading favourite. It is a historic decision that reshapes the landscape of the league.

The news, first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN, is significant for several reasons. First, LeBron has signed a two-year deal worth $8 million per season. Barring a surprise, that means he will reach a remarkable 25 seasons in the NBA, an unprecedented quarter-century in the league. It also fulfils what he had promised regarding money, having insisted he was not seeking a maximum contract and instead wanted to play where he would be happiest while also giving himself the best chance to win another championship ring.

In Philadelphia, he will join Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Embiid brings considerable uncertainty because of his constant injury problems, while Maxey provides stability through his proven offensive talent. LeBron will also team up with Jaylen Brown, whom the Celtics traded in exchange for Paul George in a move that clearly strengthened the 76ers while weakening one of their Eastern Conference rivals. The East, incidentally, has long been LeBron’s preferred conference.

The player’s message on X, posted shortly after Charania broke the news, was direct and heartfelt:

“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 deicide 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.

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!"

Those were the words of an extraordinary player, a living legend who continues to write new chapters in his career.

The final part of LeBron’s message was dedicated to the teams he ultimately chose not to join. The Heat had gained significant momentum in recent weeks, emerging as the clear favourites, and even accidentally leaked a video announcing the King’s return. The Cavaliers, meanwhile, are home. Akron, Ohio, is where the prodigal son fulfilled his promise by delivering the franchise’s long-awaited championship, making a return there seem like the most logical outcome.

And while not in Los Angeles, another California team, the Warriors, also made a serious push. Stephen Curry and Draymond Green reportedly tried to persuade LeBron personally to join them. However, the latest reports suggested Golden State had considered themselves out of the running for weeks before his decision was announced.

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