LeBron James Joins 76ers on Two-Year Deal to Pursue Title With Embiid

LeBron James signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers following a season where he averaged 20.9 points per game.

LeBron James signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers in July, ending an eight-season tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers. According to ESPN, the 41-year-old forward chose Philadelphia to pursue a championship alongside All-Star Tyrese Maxey and former MVP Joel Embiid. James, a 22-time All-Star, enters his 24th NBA season coming off a year where he averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game.

Speaking on the "Mind the Game" podcast, James revealed that Philadelphia became a serious option after the 76ers acquired NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics. Maxey, who shares an agent with James, served as a primary recruiter once James notified the Lakers he would not return. The 76ers finished last season with a 45-37 record and were eliminated in a second-round sweep by the New York Knicks.

James noted a specific goal of assisting Embiid in reaching his first NBA Finals. Despite winning two scoring titles and an Olympic gold medal, Embiid has not advanced past the second round since being drafted third overall in 2014. James aims to help the franchise secure its first championship since 1983. The four-time NBA champion is scheduled to address the media for the first time in Camden, New Jersey, on Monday before training camp begins next week.