Last week, LeBron James announced on his X account that he would be signing with the Philadelphia 76ers. The deal is a two-year contract worth $8 million, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
"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," he wrote.
"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? " James wrote on X. "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."
Earlier this week, the Sixers officially signed James, and according to The Athletic, “the Sixers waived wing Dalen Terry on Sunday. The move allows Philadelphia to add James’ salary to its payroll without exceeding the first apron, according to NBA salary cap rules.”’
Since James announced he will be taking his talents to the City of Brotherly Love next season, it has sparked numerous reactions from individuals, including Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl-winning quarterback Jalen Hurts and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
Hurts called the move huge for the city of Philadelphia and for sports culture.
“I think for what he represents in sports and sports culture, it’s huge — and it’s huge for the city of Philadelphia,” Hurts said. “It’ll be exciting to have a figure like that in the city, what he’s done, one of the greatest to ever do it. I’m excited to be a part of that.”
Meanwhile, during a recent appearance on the Stephen A. Smith Show, Governor Shapiro shared that he tried to recruit LeBron to Philly last week during a dinner outing.
"I shot my shot. I told him how Philly would love to have him, he could win a championship here, and this would be a great place for him to bring his talents... I'm damn glad he chose Philly,” said Shapiro.
Last week, an NBA executive floated that James and his new teammate, Jaylen Brown, could end up being support-vote voices for a potential Shapiro run for president in 2028. The two have been very outspoken in the past on the political front.
