Meanwhile, a trio of Sixers players -- Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and the newly acquired Jaylen Brown, another surprising addition for Philadelphia this offseason -- worked on James directly, sources told ESPN. That effort was led by Maxey, a fellow Klutch client who has referred to James as a "big brother" in the past.
More on LeBron James: Recent HoopsHype Rumors
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has proclaimed July 24 to officially be LeBron James Day. “Pennsylvania is honored to welcome LeBron James to our Commonwealth as he joins the Philadelphia 76ers for his best season yet. — 7/24/2026 New York Times
Governor Shapiro: LEBRON JAMES IS COMING TO PHILLY. By the power vested in me as the Governor of the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a die-hard Sixers fan... I hereby proclaim
today to be LEBRON JAMES DAY. Welcome to the City of Brotherly Love, LeBron. — 7/24/2026 Bluesky
Dan Woike: One of LeBron James' ex-Lakers teammates told The Athletic that he recalled a conversation where James talked about how seriously he considered signing with Philadelphia before picking the Lakers in 2018. Eight years later, he's a 76er. — 7/24/2026 x.com
Keith Smith: Two texts, one from a front office exec and one from an agent, basically saying the same thing: "Finally. Now we can finish the offseason." Expect some other deals to start moving now that LeBron James has picked his next team. — 7/24/2026 x.com
Shams Charania: BREAKING: LeBron James is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $8 million deal with a player option, Klutch Sports Group and Klutch CEO and Game Over show host Rich Paul tells ESPN. — 7/24/2026 x.com
LeBron James: I thought I was done when the season ended. I wasn't ready to announce it, and I knew I needed some time to really decide, but I was pretty sure I played my last game. I was honest at that last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and deicide if I still love this game. I still truly love this game, and I have more to give. The last few weeks have really been special. I’ve never been able to have no clue what to do and take real time to just think. I’ve had an incredible few months with all the people I love trying to figure it all out. 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? 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. Thank you LA. Miami I’ll forever love and Northeast Ohio will always home! ???? — 7/24/2026 x.com
Yossi Gozlan: Philadelphia 76ers salary cap situation with LeBron James. He is signing for the veteran minimum, but it will count as the full $3.9 million rather than $2.4 million since it's a two-year deal. The Sixers will need to waive a player to fit him under the first apron hard cap. — 7/24/2026 x.com
Bobby Marks: LeBron James contract with Philadelphia 2026-27: $3,876,529 2027-28: $4,070,355 (Player) The contract is the the veteran minimum exception — 7/24/2026 x.com
Jaylen Brown #throwtheballup — 7/24/2026 x.com
Bobby Marks: James will count for 2.35% of the salary cap this season. Because he is signing a 2 year contract (no cap relief) Philadelphia will need to either waive one of their non-guaranteed players or make a trade to clear money. They are $572K above Apron 1 as is. — 7/24/2026 x.com
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey recruited LeBron James
