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LeBron James Arrives as a 76er and Sets Expectations High: ‘I Didn’t Leave My Family to Lose in the Second Round’
On Monday, September 28, 2026, LeBron James officially joined the Philadelphia 76ers, debuting his new uniform at media day in Camden, New Jersey, after signing a two-year, $8 million veteran minimum contract.
Tyrese Maxey, the 76ers guard, served as a primary recruiter, convincing James through frequent discussions about the franchise's championship potential. James said, "I didn't leave my family to lose in the second round," underscoring his commitment to contention.
Philadelphia's revamped roster features 2023 MVP Joel Embiid and 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, positioning the team to end a championship drought stretching to 1983. Head coach Nick Nurse described James as an "offensive creator."
The 76ers open their 2026-27 season on October 20 against the reigning champion New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, marking the start of James' record-extending 24th NBA season.
Addressing speculation about his free-agency decision, James revealed he considered joining the Knicks but rejected the move due to anticipated "outside scrutiny" from joining a newly crowned champion. He remains focused on the daily process ahead.
The star basketball player will play for the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA in the future. On the first official date, he reveals that he could have imagined the Knicks too - and why that was nothing.