LeBron James has finally made his decision, and he’s headed to Philadelphia.
James has agreed to a two-year contract with the 76ers, agent Rich Paul told ESPN’s Shams Charania. The deal will be for the veteran minimum and include a player option for the second season.
Klutch Sports also announced the agreement. The decision ends more than three weeks of speculation surrounding James, who informed the Lakers on June 30 that he would not return after eight seasons in Los Angeles.
Apparently, retirement was a very real possibility.
“I thought I was done when the season ended,” James wrote in a social media post announcing his decision. “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.”
Instead, James decided he still had something left.
“I still truly love this game, and I have more to give,” he wrote.
James said this will be his “last decision,” adding that neither money nor family ultimately determined his destination. At this stage of his career, he wanted another opportunity to compete for a 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,” James wrote. “Thank you L.A. Miami I’ll forever love and Northeast Ohio will always (be) home!”
The Sixers certainly give him plenty to work with. James joins a loaded roster featuring Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and VJ Edgecombe. Philadelphia acquired Brown from the Celtics earlier this month in the blockbuster trade that sent Paul George to Boston.
That move may have helped change the equation.
James has a longstanding relationship with Maxey, a fellow Klutch client, and also knows Sixers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey from their Ohio basketball days. Gansey later worked in the Cavaliers’ front office during James’ second run in Cleveland.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Gansey remained in regular contact with Paul throughout the process, while Maxey, Embiid and Brown were directly involved in recruiting James.
The most remarkable part may be the money. James will earn about $3.88 million next season, an almost comical bargain for a player who averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds while shooting 51.5 percent from the field last season.
The 76ers will need to make a minor roster move before officially signing him because of their proximity to the first apron.
James turns 42 in December and is entering his record-setting 24th NBA season.
And after weeks of Cleveland, Miami, Golden State and just about every conceivable destination being discussed, we finally have the answer.
LeBron James is a Philadelphia 76er.
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