LeBron James finally made his long-awaited decision on Friday.
The 41-year-old superstar, who has the most points in NBA history, will return for a record-breaking 24th season, signing a two-year, $7.95 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers that includes a player option in 2027-28.
The deal will pay LeBron $3,876,529 in 2026-27 and $4,070,355 in 2027-28.
James explained his decision on X:
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!
🙏🏾🫡👑
James was not kidding when he said he was “not going for money” and ready “to sacrifice.” He took a mind-boggling $48.72 million pay cut to join the 76ers after making $52.6 million with the Los Angeles Lakers last season. Philadelphia instantly becomes championship contenders with James’ addition, sporting a projected starting lineup that also includes Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and recent addition Jaylen Brown.
The contract pays James the NBA minimum for a player with at least 10 years of experience and accounts for roughly 2.35 percent of the NBA salary cap ($164.961 million). As of Friday, July 24, 290 NBA players will make more than James, per Sportrac.
Comparing across sports, James will make less than the NHL’s all-time greatest goal-scorer, Alex Ovechkin, who will be 41 next season when he competes in his 22nd NHL season.
The 2026-27 season will mark the first time in Ovechkin’s career he will make more than the four-time NBA champion. Ovechkin’s contract for this season is worth $4.25 million. The deal also includes a $4.75 million performance bonus that would pay him as much as $9 million.
LeBron James vs Alex Ovechkin salary
| Season | LeBron James | Alex Ovechkin |
|---|---|---|
| 2003–04 | $4,018,920 | — |
| 2004–05 | $4,320,360 | — |
| 2005–06 | $4,621,800 | $984,200 |
| 2006–07 | $5,828,090 | $984,200 |
| 2007–08 | $13,041,250 | $984,200 |
| 2008–09 | $14,410,581 | $9,000,000 |
| 2009–10 | $15,779,912 | $9,000,000 |
| 2010–11 | $14,500,000 | $9,000,000 |
| 2011–12 | $12,896,159 | $9,000,000 |
| 2012–13 | $17,545,000 | $9,000,000 |
| 2013–14 | $19,067,500 | $9,000,000 |
| 2014–15 | $20,644,400 | $10,000,000 |
| 2015–16 | $22,970,500 | $10,000,000 |
| 2016–17 | $30,963,450 | $10,000,000 |
| 2017–18 | $33,285,709 | $10,000,000 |
| 2018–19 | $35,654,150 | $10,000,000 |
| 2019–20 | $37,436,858 | $10,000,000 |
| 2020–21 | $39,219,566 | $10,000,000 |
| 2021–22 | $41,180,544 | $5,000,000 |
| 2022–23 | $44,474,988 | $10,000,000 |
| 2023–24 | $47,607,350 | $12,500,000 |
| 2024–25 | $48,728,845 | $11,000,000 |
| 2025–26 | $52,627,153 | $9,000,000 |
| 2026–27 | $3,876,529 | $4,250,000* |
According to Spotrac’s 2026–27 NHL total cash rankings as of July 24, 287 NHL players will make more money than LeBron during the 2026–27 season. LeBron would hypothetically rank 288th among NHL players, landing just below three players making $3.9 million and just above Ben Chiarot at $3.85 million.
Where LeBron James’ salary ranks among NHL players
| Rank/position | Player | 2026–27 cash salary |
|---|---|---|
| 283 | Kirill Marchenko | $3,975,000 |
| 284 | Josh Manson | $3,950,000 |
| T-285 | Ross Colton | $3,900,000 |
| T-285 | Lawson Crouse | $3,900,000 |
| T-285 | Mathieu Olivier | $3,900,000 |
| Hypothetical 288 | LeBron James | $3,876,529 |
| 288 in NHL ranking | Ben Chiarot | $3,850,000 |
| 289 in NHL ranking | Connor Zary | $3,775,000 |
Note: The NHL contract data came from Spotrac’s 2026–27 NHL “Total Cash” rankings. Each player’s scheduled 2026–27 cash compensation — not cap hit or contract AAV — against LeBron James’s $3,876,529 salary. Spotrac’s total-cash category includes the salary and signing bonuses payable during that particular season.
Thirteen different Washington Capitals players, more than half the team’s roster, are scheduled to make more than LeBron in 2026–27.
Capitals players that will make more than LeBron James in 2026-27
| Capitals player | 2026–27 Total Cash |
|---|---|
| Alex Tuch | $15,700,000 |
| Pierre-Luc Dubois | $9,100,000 |
| Jakob Chychrun | $8,250,000 |
| Jordan Kyrou | $8,250,000 |
| Boone Jenner | $7,500,000 |
| Logan Thompson | $6,850,000 |
| Martin Fehervary | $6,000,000 |
| Matt Roy | $6,000,000 |
| Vincent Desharnais | $5,650,000 |
| Tom Wilson | $5,625,000 |
| Rasmus Sandin | $4,500,000 |
| Alex Ovechkin | $4,250,000 guaranteed |
| Dylan Strome | $4,000,000 |
| LeBron James | $3,876,529 |
Across the four major sports leagues, James’ $3,876,529 salary would be lower than the scheduled cash compensation of 1,321 players across the NBA, MLB, NHL, and NFL, using Spotrac’s Total Cash rankings.
Once next season is over, James will have made $585,252,077 in his career — the most in NBA history — just ahead of Kevin Durant ($545.04 million) and Stephen Curry ($532.73 million).
Numbers via Sportrac.
