What happened: James will wear the number during his historic 24th NBA season. The assignment follows his July 24 decision to join Philadelphia.
Why it matters: At 41, James gives Philadelphia the NBA’s all-time leading scorer for its championship push. The projected starting five brings 36 combined All-Star selections.
By the numbers: James averaged 23.2 points, 7.3 assists, 6.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game in the 2026 playoffs.
What to watch: Philadelphia now turns to integrating James and completing its roster for the 2026-27 season.