Rich Paul's Text to 76ers Announcing LeBron James' Decision Revealed in New NBA Rumors

After star forward LeBron James decided to end his free agency and sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, his agent, Rich Paul, shared the news in a succinct message.

Per ESPN's Dave McMenamin, Paul sent a group text announcing James' decision to Sixers stakeholders all at once, including team governor Josh Harris; co-owner David Blitzer; Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment president Bob Myers; executive vice president of basketball operations Jameer Nelson; and two-time All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey.

"Congrats," the text read. "Sixers it is."

McMenamin added that Sixers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey, who was hired to replace Daryl Morey in May, was also included in the group text. However, the former Cleveland Cavaliers executive wasn't in Philadelphia with the rest of the contingent, as he was with his family at his Midwest home when he learned the news.

"I'm like, 'Babe, we just got LeBron,'" Gansey told McMenamin, saying his wife, Amy, was the first person he informed. "She's like, 'What?!' I'll never forget that. And just seeing Rich's texts and being like, 'Oh my gosh, here we go.'"

James was known to be deciding between the Sixers, Cavs, Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors as he enters his 24th NBA season. In the end, Philadelphia's strong offseason, headlined by the acquisition of star guard Jaylen Brown, put the franchise ahead of the rest of the pack.

"Ultimately, Philadelphia makes a move and then boom! Now you got Jaylen Brown," Paul said on his Game Over podcast with Max Kellerman earlier this week. "Now hold on, wait a minute now. This looks a lot different."

James and the Sixers are now among the top contenders to win the NBA championship next season, and it can be expected that the 41-year-old will be motivated to add a fifth title to his mantle before ending his legendary career.