76ers officially outbid Warriors, Heat, Cavaliers for $8M four-time NBA champion, former MVP

76ers officially outbid Warriors, Heat, Cavaliers for $8M four-time NBA champion, former MVP originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The entire NBA had its eyes on LeBron James over the last month as his free agency decision became the biggest storyline of the offseason. James took his time, making sure his next destination would give him the best opportunity to compete for another NBA championship.

Several teams were seriously involved in the pursuit, with the final five all considered legitimate championship contenders.

“It’s decision time for LeBron James… The Leading suitors have been CLE, MIA, GSW, PHI, and MIN…. LeBron James has made it clear privately that he wants to go somewhere he can compete for a championship. Somewhere he feels he finds that happiness from a team environment and CULTURE that he can uplift,” ESPN’s Shams Charania said.

In the end, James based his decision on joining a team that both needed him and possessed a championship-caliber roster. After a free agency process that lasted nearly a month, he chose to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers.

“LeBron James is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers for his final run at another NBA championship, he announced Friday,” ESPN’s Dave McMenamin wrote. “James, 41, is signing a two-year, $8 million contract with a player option, Klutch Sports Group CEO Rich Paul told ESPN’s Shams Charania.”

The four-time NBA champion has been vocal about this being the final contract of his NBA career. On Sunday afternoon, James and the 76ers officially finalized the deal, with the former MVP putting pen to paper.

“LeBron James has officially signed his two-year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers with a player option — plus a full 15% trade kicker, per sources,” Charania wrote.

Philadelphia now boasts one of the league’s most exciting starting lineups, featuring Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, and James. The 76ers have executed their offseason nearly as well as they could have hoped.

James is now hoping to deliver an NBA championship to Philadelphia before calling it a career. If he plays through the length of his contract, he would reach 25 seasons in the NBA—an accomplishment that may never be matched again.

More NBA news: