LeBron James signs with 76ers: Caitlin Clark, NBA league execs express shock as legend makes his ‘last decision’

LeBron James will play a 24th season in the NBA … and it won’t come with the team people expected. James announced Friday that he’ll sign with the Philadelphia 76ers as he seeks one more championship.

The decision was met with … shock, mostly. Coming into Friday, the 76ers weren’t considered among the favorites to sign James. Two of James’ former franchise, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, as well as the Golden State Warriors, were considered the most likely landing spots for the superstar.

Advertisement

But it wasn’t meant to be, as James opted for the surprising 76ers instead.

The news came as a massive shock to Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, who got the news as she was in the middle of a press conference ahead of WNBA All-Star weekend.

As Clark said in the above clip, she had literally just finished answering a question in which she pitched James signing with the Indiana Pacers. It wasn’t meant to be.

At least one person in the NBA world was also surprised by the decision. One NBA executive said Philadelphia was “option No. 4” before James made his decision.

James, himself, explained his choice on social media, explaining he truly contemplated retirement this offseason before deciding to join the 76ers. His full statement read:

“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!”

Advertisement

The 76ers have had quite the offseason now, with both James and Jaylen Brown joining the organization. Brown had a somewhat muted reaction to the signing, merely tweeting out a hashtag #throwtheballup.

Tyrese Maxey and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, on the other hand, went out of his way to celebrate the move.

Advertisement

Maxey immediately hopped on Instagram and was yelling about the news.

Shapiro already proclaimed it “LeBron James Day” in the state.

This story will be updated.