Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
LeBron James will be joining the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year deal
Future NBA Hall of Famer LeBron James produced the sports news of the weekend on Friday when he announced that he would be signing with the Philadelphia 76ers. James’ decision came after speculation that he could return to one of his previous teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers or Miami Heat.
The potential of LeBron James joining the Miami Heat spiked last week when a franchise employee posted and quickly deleted a YouTube livestream titled “LeBron James Introductory Press Conference | July 27, 2026.”
The LeBron James press conference video mistakenly posted by the Miami Heat was the result of an employee going on vacation
A Heat spokesperson confirmed the link was “mistakenly made public” by the social media department while preparing for the possibility of James signing with the team.
According to ESPN‘s Ramona Shelburne, the mix-up specifically happened because the employee in question was trying to get ahead of work before a vacation.
“Which is why the saga of the poor Heat staffer — who sources told ESPN had scheduled vacation for this week and was trying to get ahead of work that could come up if James indeed chose the Heat — was so amusing to Paul and the small group of people James confided in during his process.”
“‘Did anyone really think LeBron was doing a press conference?’ said another league source close to the process, pointing out James didn’t make his first appearance as a Laker until training camp in the fall of 2018.”
This YouTube test was posted by the Miami Heat… ☝️🧐☝️
“miamiheat Introductory
Press conference for LeBron James welcoming him back as a member of the Miami HEAT” pic.twitter.com/mEylwE6rW9— 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙏 𝙉𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 (@HeatvsHaters) July 22, 2026
LeBron ultimately decided to join the Philadelphia 76ers for what will surely be the final stop of his legendary NBA career, signing a two-year, $8 million veteran-minimum contract with the team.
The Sixers also acquired All-Star Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics earlier in the offseason, which was surely a factor in LeBron’s decision. Alongside James and Brown, the Sixers also boast All-Stars Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.
“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,” LeBron’s statement on social media read in part.
“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.”
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
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 24, 2026
The Sixers offseason moves has seen the team propelled into the top four betting favorites for next season’s NBA title, trailing only the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and defending champion New York Knicks.