On 24/7, LeBron James announced his decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers, marking his 24th season—an unprecedented milestone in NBA history. The American superstar reportedly signed a two-year contract worth 8 million USD, the veteran minimum salary for a player with his years of service.

"I believe I can help the Philadelphia 76ers become a champion. I am excited to energize a new fan base and embark on this incredible journey once more," James wrote on X. "This is my final decision. I am not coming for money, nor for family. I still want to compete, want to win, and have the chance to feel the joy of winning another championship."

LeBron James stands on the court during the final minutes of Game 4 of the NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder in Los Angeles, US on 11/5. Photo: AP

At 41, James chose the Philadelphia 76ers, believing it offers the best opportunity for him to win a fifth NBA title. The trade bringing Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics further strengthened the 76ers' appeal in the race for James's signature. In Philadelphia, the superstar born in 1984 will play alongside Brown, former NBA MVP Joel Embiid, All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey, young guard VJ Edgecombe, and NBA champion coach Nick Nurse.

James informed his agent Rich Paul of his decision on the morning of 24/7, just before making the announcement public. Even his closest advisors did not know his final choice until then. Other teams that pursued James, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, and Minnesota Timberwolves, were also not informed beforehand.

Topps, a sports company under Fanatics, appeared to be the first to reveal the deal on X, mere seconds before James. James currently has an exclusive contract with Fanatics and had hinted at his future decision multiple times while attending Fanatics Fest in New York last week.

According to The New York Times, James's extended deliberation was not driven by a desire to create buzz or await a potential reunion with friends on other teams. He also did not wait for the Golden State Warriors to acquire Anthony Davis or for the Dallas Mavericks to make Kyrie Irving available for trade. "It's all about winning a championship," a source stated.

The sole reason James chose the 76ers was his belief that he could win a championship in Philadelphia.

When informing the Los Angeles Lakers of his intention to become a free agent, James asked himself: In the late stage of his career, where could he win a fifth NBA championship? The final answer was Philadelphia.

James understands this may be the final stop of his career. For him, the joy of playing is tied to competing at a high level, and the 76ers meet that requirement.

James's arrival makes the Philadelphia roster considered the strongest since the 2000-2001 season, when Allen Iverson won the MVP award and led the team to the NBA Finals.

LeBron James (center) holds championship trophies and celebrates with teammates after the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Miami Heat 106-93 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, US on 11/10/2020. Photo: AP

James will likely play at forward, alongside Brown. His playmaking ability will also play a crucial role, as Maxey can play off-ball, allowing James not to shoulder too much scoring responsibility.

Before the Brown trade, the 76ers were not considered a top contender in the race for James's signature. However, everything changed after president of basketball operations Mike Gansey executed a shocking trade: bringing Brown to Philadelphia from the Celtics in exchange for Paul George and 4 future picks.

Subsequently, the 76ers were determined to pursue James. "We now possess a remarkable roster," an internal team source said.

Philadelphia also benefits from the relationship between James and key figures in the front office. Maxey shares the same agent, Rich Paul, with James, while Gansey worked for the Cavaliers when James returned to Cleveland in 2014.

Gansey and James were even high school rivals in Ohio. In 2001, Gansey finished second in Ohio's "Mr. Basketball" voting, while the winner was a young forward from St. Vincent-St. Mary: LeBron James.

Despite their long-standing relationship, Gansey did not pressure James to come to Philadelphia. 76ers owner Josh Harris also had only a brief conversation with James at a Fanatics Fest VIP event mid-July.

The only person to publicly advocate for James was Bob Myers, President of Sports for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment—the group managing sports teams owned by Harris and David Blitzer. "If James were here, I would say: I truly believe this is his best chance to win," Myers shared in a podcast.

The decision to join the 76ers concludes an eight-year era for James with the Lakers, where he brought an NBA championship in 2020, led the team to the Western Conference Finals, and set numerous records, including becoming the NBA's all-time leading scorer.

Last season, James maintained impressive form, averaging 20,9 points, 7,2 assists, and 6,1 rebounds per game. He achieved a 51,5% shooting percentage and extended his record of scoring at least 20 points per game in all 23 NBA seasons he has played.

In the final chapter of his career, LeBron James continues to pursue a familiar goal: winning.

Compiled by Hong Duy