LeBron James’ big free agent decision has shaken the NBA once more after the all-time leading scorer chose the Philadelphia 76ers as his next team.
Fans have quickly jumped on board, with Fanatics saying his newest jersey has broken some records.
For the period of the first 48 hours after James made his long-awaited announcement, his new 76ers jersey sold the most ever of a player joining a new team across all sports, according to Fanatics records.
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James surpassed Shohei Ohtani’s decision to move to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023.
And more James merchandise was sold in the first 24 hours after his decision was made than the first week after he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018, according to Fanatics records.
LEBRON JAMES MAKES NBA FREE AGENCY DECISION, ANNOUNCES PLANS TO SIGN WITH 76ERS
Since Friday, James merchandise has accounted for eight of the top 10 selling products across all sports throughout the Fanatics network of sites.
James will enter Year 24 in the NBA with his fourth different team after signing a two-year, $8 million contract with the Sixers. He promised this would be his “last decision,” meaning this could be his final chance to earn another NBA title.
The 41-year-old took a major discount to join a team primed to make a championship run. In addition to James, the 76ers made a trade with the Boston Celtics for another NBA Finals MVP, Jaylen Brown, before James made his decision.
So, the starting five in Philadelphia figures to be James, Brown, former league MVP Joel Embiid and dynamic guards Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe.
James said on X that he thought he was done with his future Hall of Fame career at the end of last season, believing he had played his final game in the sweep by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Playoffs.
“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 decide if I still love this game,” James wrote on X.
“I still truly love this game, and I have more to give.”
James added that he still wants to “sacrifice” and “grind” for his team, and he believes the 76ers can be a championship squad during the 2026-27 season.
The 76ers were swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals, and they hope the additions of James and Brown can propel them to a championship.
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