Shams Charania reports there is a real chance LeBron James plays both years of his 76ers contract, potentially extending his career into an unprecedented 25th NBA season.
LeBron James' move to the Philadelphia 76ers may not be a one-season stop before retirement.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, there is a genuine possibility that James will play through both seasons of the two-year contract he signed with Philadelphia.
"My understanding is there's a real chance here he plays both of these years," Charania reported on The Pat McAfee Show.
LeBron agreed to a veteran-minimum deal worth $3,876,529 for the 2026-27 season, followed by a $4,070,355 player option for 2027-28.
While that option allows James to leave Philadelphia or retire after his first season, Charania's report suggests he is seriously considering completing the full contract.
James could extend career to unprecedented 25th season
James is preparing to enter his record-breaking 24th NBA season in 2026-27. No other player has appeared in more than 22 seasons, with James already moving beyond Vince Carter's previous benchmark.
Playing the second year of his Philadelphia contract would take James into a previously unseen 25th season.
The four-time NBA champion will turn 42 in December during his first year with the 76ers. He would be 42 at the beginning of the 2027-28 campaign and turn 43 during that season.
His player option means a second season is not guaranteed, but the early expectation is that the deal could represent a genuine two-year commitment rather than simply providing flexibility.
Championship pursuit drove Philadelphia decision
Charania stressed that James made his priorities clear when he informed the Lakers on June 30 that he would continue his career elsewhere.
"I want to compete for a championship. I want to win at a high level. This is not a money-driven decision," James' position was described.
After evaluating his options, James concluded that Philadelphia gave him the best opportunity to compete for a fifth championship.
The 76ers will place him alongside a star-studded core that includes Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Jaylen Brown.
LeBron publicly described the move as his "last decision" and said he believed he could help turn Philadelphia into a championship team.
Family approval was final step
According to Charania, James' final consideration was ensuring that his family supported the move.
His wife, Savannah, and daughter, Zhuri, remain based in Los Angeles, while Bronny James plays for the Lakers and Bryce James is in Arizona.
Moving to the East Coast therefore represents a significant lifestyle change for James at this stage of his career. However, his family ultimately supported the decision to prioritize another championship opportunity.
Credit AP-Scanpix
James accepted lowest possible salary
James reinforced that motivation by accepting approximately $8 million across two seasons – a dramatic reduction from the salaries he earned during his final years with the Lakers.
His contract accounts for only 2.35% of the salary cap in 2026-27, giving Philadelphia one of the greatest players in NBA history on a veteran-minimum deal.
Despite being 41, James remained highly productive last season, averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds across 60 appearances. He also earned a record-extending 22nd consecutive All-Star selection.
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