Even at the age of 41, LeBron James' free-agency decisions can still throw everyone into a frenzy.
The NBA's all-time leading scorer confirmed Friday that he's signing with the Philadelphia 76ers for his record 24th season, and it's no surprise that some of his new teammates are among those most excited to see him in a Sixers uniform.
— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) July 24, 2026
— Austin Krell (@NBAKrell) July 24, 2026
VJ Edgecombe just did the LeBron meme 🤣 pic.twitter.com/ROWjxDCmkh
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 24, 2026
Others such as WNBA phenom Caitlin Clark couldn't help but think about what could've been had James signed elsewhere.
Caitlin Clark reacts in real-time to learning LeBron James is joining the 76ers:
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) July 24, 2026
“No way! Wow. … I’ll be watching more 76ers games.” pic.twitter.com/GAhbwF6oHw
The idea of Steph, LeBron and Draymond teaming up like the Avengers pic.twitter.com/u5PaMXVbCn
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) July 24, 2026
But the image of James potentially leading the 76ers to long-awaited postseason glory astonished many.
imagine telling someone like two years ago that lebron was gonna take the veterans minimum to play in philadelphia
— claire de lune (@ClaireMPLS) July 24, 2026
YOOOOO PHILLY STAND ALL THE WAY UP!! @ sixers @KingJames let’s gooooooo!!!! pic.twitter.com/I65ZZ1YhgI
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) July 24, 2026
Trust the process.
— Tom Withers (@twithersCLE) July 24, 2026
https://t.co/nEWP7jjprB pic.twitter.com/OZznTa7pVd
— Pablo Torre 👀 (@PabloTorre) July 24, 2026
This is a lot to process. Philly got something serious. pic.twitter.com/dY8oeBKYUv
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) July 24, 2026
LeBron picking the Sixers and stunning and perfect
— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) July 24, 2026
If he wins there???? Might not be a more legendary title to win next season
If he doesn’t win….. it’s the Sixers
This is perfect
The Sixers haven’t been to the NBA Finals since 2001.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 24, 2026
LeBron James has been to the Finals on 10 different occasions since with the Cavaliers, Heat and Lakers. https://t.co/l47pQ60qbG
Very funny that Daryl Morey got fired for his insistence on “Cap Space Plans” to sign big free agents and then he gets fired and they literally sign the greatest player in history to a minimum
— Khem Birch Society (@NBABabySecret) July 24, 2026
Labaron Philon... the signs were there the whole time....
— nba paint (@nba_paint) July 24, 2026
Best starting 5 of All Time ?
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) July 24, 2026
James, who's picked up golf in recent years, probably won't have any issue finding friends to hit the links with in the City of Brotherly Love, either.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) July 24, 2026
Welcome to the city! Let me know when you tryna tee it up 🏌🏽⛳️ @KingJames
— Saquon Barkley (@saquon) July 24, 2026
Guess the golfer: Philly edition pic.twitter.com/14yxPx6Z2C
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 24, 2026
Meanwhile, commissioner Adam Silver and the rest of the NBA are probably happy to move on, considering so much hinged on James choosing his next destination.
Two texts, one from a front office exec and one from an agent, basically saying the same thing: "Finally. Now we can finish the offseason."
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) July 24, 2026
Expect some other deals to start moving now that LeBron James has picked his next team.
adam silver right now 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/AfFbANzsPl
— theScore (@theScore) July 24, 2026
The NFL's Eagles (2017, 2024) and MLB's Phillies (2008) are Philadelphia's only major professional teams to have won a championship this millennium. James will attempt to help the 76ers join that list, but his signing has already given fans plenty of reason to celebrate.
LEBRON IS COMING TO PHILLY.
— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) July 24, 2026
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. pic.twitter.com/JHsNkCFyyN












