Philadelphia has a new king, and Pennsylvania's governor is ready to roll out the red carpet. In a move that has sent shockwaves through the NBA, LeBron James is leaving Los Angeles for the City of Brotherly Love, and Governor Josh Shapiro is wasting no time making it official.
On Friday, Shapiro took to social media to announce that July 24, 2026, will forever be known as LeBron James Day in Pennsylvania. The governor, a self-described die-hard Sixers fan, couldn't contain his excitement. “LEBRON IS COMING TO PHILLY,” he wrote on X. “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, @KingJames.”
The proclamation comes after James agreed to a two-year, $8 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers—a massive pay cut from the nearly $53 million he earned last season with the Lakers. For a four-time MVP and future Hall of Famer, the decision was never about the money. It was about one last shot at glory.
James, who averaged 20.9 points and 7.2 assists per game last season, will now slot into a starting lineup featuring Jaylen Brown, VJ Edgecombe, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey. The move reunites him with a roster built to win now, and James made it clear in a heartfelt statement that this is his final stop.
“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,” James wrote on social media. “I was honest at that last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and decide if I still love this game. I still truly love this game, and I have more to give.”
James admitted that the last few weeks gave him a rare chance to reflect. “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,” he added.
His decision to spurn the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat—two franchises where he won championships—surprised many. But James explained his reasoning plainly: “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.”
James believes the Sixers give him the best chance to add a fifth ring to his collection. “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,” he wrote. “Thank you LA. Miami I’ll forever love and Northeast Ohio will always home!”
The timing of the move comes after weeks of speculation and rumors, with some insiders linking James to a return to Miami or even a retirement timeline that stretched to 2027. Others, like ESPN's Brian Windhorst, had flipped on whether James would choose Miami over Cleveland. But in the end, Philadelphia emerged as the surprise destination.
For the Sixers, adding James instantly transforms them into title favorites. For Pennsylvania, it's a reason to celebrate—and the governor has already set the date. LeBron James Day is now officially part of the state's calendar, and the basketball world is watching to see what the legend does next.
