Rich Paul Teases LeBron James Extending NBA Career After 76ers Contract, 'Going to Energize Him'

LeBron James' agent, Rich Paul, suggested this week that James may have multiple years left in his NBA career after signing with the Philadelphia 76ers last week.

Speaking to ESPN's Dave McMenamin about LeBron, Paul said, "I think Philadelphia's going to energize him. Maybe we get two [seasons]. Maybe we get four."

The 41-year-old James signed a two-year, $7.9 million contract with the Sixers, but it includes a player option for 2027-28, meaning LeBron will have multiple choices at his disposal, including returning to the 76ers, signing elsewhere or retiring.

James has already played the most seasons in NBA history with 23, and he is set to add to that record next season in Philadelphia.

LeBron has made it clear on multiple occasions that winning another championship is his top priority, and the decision to sign with the Sixers suggests he views them as legitimate contenders.

Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and VJ Edgecombe are all returning from last year's team, which reached the second round of the playoffs, but the Sixers also made a huge addition in the form of acquiring five-time All-Star Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics.

That may have been the move that placed the Sixers atop LeBron's list, as he ultimately signed with Philly to round out what is arguably the top starting five in the entire NBA.

James is already considered one of the greatest players in history as the NBA's all-time leading scorer, plus a four-time NBA MVP, four-time NBA champion and four-time NBA Finals MVP.

LeBron is most often measured against Michael Jordan, though, especially when it comes to their championship success.

Jordan was a six-time NBA champ and six-time NBA Finals MVP, and if James feels he has a legitimate chance to match either or both of those marks, perhaps it could compel him to continue playing into his mid-40s.

Per McMenamin, James recently gave his thoughts on continuing to play despite considering retirement, telling the live crowd at Fanatics Fest, "We're giving everything that we have to the sport, and we're still driving revenue as well. Why not still play it if you still love it? I'm just trying to squeeze as much of the juice out of it as possible."

James was in unfamiliar territory last season as the Los Angeles Lakers' No. 3 scoring option behind Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.

As a result, LeBron matched his career low with 20.9 points per game, but he was still an efficient and valuable player, averaging 7.2 assists, 6.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals, and shooting 51.5 percent from the field.

James could conceivably be as low as the fourth scoring option in Philly behind Maxey, Embiid and Brown, but given his ability as a playmaker, he still figures to be effective even if he has to play that role.

LeBron's individual play and the experience in Philadelphia next season both figure to play a significant role in whether James decides to return for a 25th season in 2027-28, whether that is with the Sixers or some other team.