76ers welcome LeBron with coronation fit for King
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- LeBron James signed a two-year veteran's minimum deal worth $8 million total with the Philadelphia 76ers, officially announced Monday, July 27, 2026.
- James reversed course on retirement, revealing on social media Friday that Philadelphia was his "last decision" after initially writing he was "done" following his Lakers tenure.
- The 76ers unveiled James's blue No. 23 jersey hanging with a crown in his locker, a nod to his "King" nickname.
- Sixers president Mike Gansey shares Ohio roots with James — Gansey was runner-up to James for Ohio's Mr. Basketball in 2001 and was hired by Philadelphia in late May after the team fired Daryl Morey.
- The 76ers haven't won an NBA title since 1983 or advanced past the second round since 2001, but feature All-Stars Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Jaylen Brown.
- James, who turns 42 in December, is the first player in NBA history named Finals MVP with three different franchises, a four-time MVP, and a 22-time All-Star averaging 26.8 points across more than 1,600 career games.
Why it matters: Philadelphia adds the NBA's career scoring leader and four-time MVP at the league-minimum price ($8M over two years) — a franchise that hasn't won a title since 1983 or escaped the second round since 2001 now slots a four-time champion alongside an All-Star core of Embiid, Maxey, and Brown, mirroring the Cleveland 2016 drought-breaking blueprint.
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