The 41-year-old, who left the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons, admitted he thought he had played his final NBA game.
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Lebron James in action for the United States at the 2024 Olympics in Paris (John Walton/PA)open image in gallery
Lebron James in action for the United States at the 2024 Olympics in Paris (John Walton/PA) (PA Archive)
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LeBron James has revealed he is joining the Philadelphia 76ers after deciding he has “more to give” as he targets another NBA title.
The 41-year-old, who left the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons, admitted he thought he had played his final game, but has decided instead to sign a two-year deal – worth around £6million – with the Sixers.
In a series of posts on his official X account, the four-times NBA champion said as he prepared to embark upon a 24th campaign: “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 decide 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.
LeBron James started with Cleveland Cavaliers (Jonathan Brady/PA)open image in gallery
LeBron James started with Cleveland Cavaliers (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Archive)
“I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energise a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time.
“Thank you LA. Miami, I’ll forever love and north-east Ohio will always (be) home!”
The six foot nine inch forward, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, began his illustrious career with Cleveland, twice winning the championship with Miami before returning to the Cavaliers to claim a third and adding a fourth with the Lakers.