LeBron James is going back to the Philadelphia 76ers (he has decided to stay with them after some serious thought of retiring).
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer announced on social media the decision as his “last decision” and says he thinks he can help the Sixers contend for a championship.
“I think I can 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 said.
The 41-year-old superstar is expected to sign a two-year, $8 million contract with Philadelphia, including a player option, according to reports. It’s a huge cut from the nearly $53 million he made last season in the Los Angeles Lakers.
James shared that he originally thought his 23rd NBA season would be his last. After the Lakers’ season ended, he said he was “pretty sure” he had played his last game and needed time to determine if he still had the passion to continue competing at the highest level.
From what James wrote, “I still love this game, and I have more to give.”
The four-time NBA champion also said money wasn’t what motivated him and that he still wants to be a part of the game and work hard and get close to winning another championship.
“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,” James wrote.
James will join an already stacked Philadelphia team with stars in Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey and who are all in line for a serious shot at a championship. The move also brings the veteran superstar back to the Eastern Conference after eight years on the Lakers.
Not since 2001 have the Sixers seen the NBA Finals and James could end one of the longest championship droughts in the franchise’s history. His move also mirrors his historic 2016 season with the Cleveland Cavaliers when he led the team to its first NBA championship and ended a 56-year title drought for the city.
James’ decision is one more remarkable chapter of one of the longest and most decorated NBA careers. And as he goes into a record-breaking 24th NBA season, the superstar has made it clear that the desire to compete and maybe win one more championship is stronger than his thoughts of retirement.
