Is LeBron James the best Philadelphia sports signing ever? We rank them
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At 11:30 a.m. July 24, LeBron James sent shock waves through Philadelphia sports.
The NBA superstar announced he was signing with the Sixers on a two-year, $8 million deal that includes a player option. He chose the team over reported competitors Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers.
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James' arrival would make him one of the biggest stars ever to play for a Philadelphia team. But he's far from the only sports icon tied to the city.
Over the years, the Sixers, Phillies, Eagles and Flyers have signed many stars, leading their teams to success.
Where does James sit amongst those acquisitions? Is he the biggest signing in Philadelphia history? Here's a list of the best players Philadelphia's teams have ever brought in.
Note: Julius Erving, one of the best acquisitions in Philadelphia sports history, does not count for this exercise. The rights to his contract were actually purchased from the New York Nets for $3 million.
10. LeBron James, Philadelphia 76ers
It's almost impossible to predict how successful James' tenure with the Sixers will be. So much of the team's success relies on factors out of the superstar's control, from the health of big man Joel Embiid, to how fellow newcomer Jaylen Brown fits.
Nevertheless, James' acquisition immediately gives the Sixers yet another top-20 player in the league. The 41-year-old's ability to read NBA defenses is just as it was when he began his career 24 years ago, and he still shows flashes of the athleticism that has made him an all-time great.
Expect James to be a big part of Philadelphia's title pursuit, and have a good chance at placing higher on this list a year from now.
9. Troy Vincent, Philadelphia Eagles
Vincent won't be the best-known name on this list, the only player unlikely to make the Hall of Fame. But his contributions to the early 2000s Eagles make him a worthy inclusion, one of the best corners in franchise history.
The defensive back was a five-time Pro Bowler with Philadelphia, earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2001, and first-team All-Pro honors in 2002. His play was a huge part of the team's defensive success, helping lead them to three straight NFC Championships in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
The star cornerback now serves as the Executive Vice President of Football Operations for the NFL, making his mark off the field.
8. Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies
When Schwarber signed his first contract with the Phillies in 2022, it was hardly viewed as a discount, at four years, $79 million. However, the star more than lived up to it, becoming a sensation known for his "Schwarbombs" at Citizens Bank Park.
Schwarber has yet to lead the team to postseason success. But the outfielder has contributed multiple seasons of top-tier play, including hitting a whopping 56 home runs a season ago. If his batting prowess can translate to the playoffs this year, he could cement himself as an all-time icon, and move up a few spots on this list.
7. George McGinnis, Philadelphia 76ers
McGinnis, at the time, was a signing almost as stunning as James. The forward was one of the best players in the American Basketball Association, before the league merged with the NBA, winning the league's MVP Award in 1975, and championships with the Indiana Pacers in 1972 and 1973.
McGinnis initially had very little interest in signing with the Sixers; in fact, he preferred to play with the New York Knicks. However, with the Sixers owning his draft rights from years prior, he signed a six-year, $3.2 million contract with the team.
McGinnis played just three seasons with the team, but was an essential contributor, an All-NBA First Team selection in 1976, and a key cog in the 1977 team that made the NBA Finals. Even with his short tenure, he made his mark on the city, remembered fondly for his speed and playmaking abilities.
6. Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies
Wheeler is the first player on this list to come from one of Philadelphia's rivals; the star signed with the Phillies in December 2019 for five years, $118 million, after five seasons with the Mets. The star went from hated in the City of Brotherly Love, to an absolute icon, one of the best pitchers to step on the mound at Citizens Bank Park.
Wheeler has been a multiple-time Cy Young finalist, a Gold Glove Award winner, and was the fastest pitcher to reach 1,000 strikeouts as a member of the Phillies. His biggest accomplishment, though, has been his postseason success: he's been one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball in October, with a 2.18 ERA.
Wheeler will look to bring that postseason success to the Phillies' run this season, and cement his legacy as an all-time great Phillie.
5. Pete Rose, Philadelphia Phillies
Rose's signing had many similarities to James: an aging player looking to make one last contribution to a championship hopeful. The ending to his story is one the 76ers hope for − a championship.
The first baseman helped lead the Phillies to a title in 1980 after signing for four years, $3.2 million, leading the National League in doubles at 39 years old. His whole tenure could be viewed as a success, making four All-Star teams(1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982) and serving as a key bat for multiple championship-contending seasons.
Rose will go down as one of the best to wear a Phillies uniform, setting a high bar for older superstars who choose to make Philadelphia their home.
4. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
Barkley's placement may seem high, especially after a down season in 2025-26. But his play during the Eagles' title run in his first season here earns him a high spot, an MVP candidate during their Super Bowl championship season.
The running back took the league by storm in 2024-25 after signing with Philadelphia on a three-year, $37.5 million contract in the offseason. He went on to win Offensive Player of the Year and help bring the Eagles their second championship of the decade.
Barkley will hope to return to form this upcoming season, building on his legacy as one of the best to ever wear an Eagles uniform.
3. Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies
Generally, it would be hard to rank a player like Harper this high, given his lack of a championship with the Phillies. But the star's presence has helped turn around the franchise, from a perennial playoff hopeful to a title contender.
Harper's biggest accomplishment remains his play during the team's World Series run in 2022, including his dramatic home run to help the team win the NLCS. But he's also stamped his name in the team's record book since signing a 13-year, $330 million contract in 2019. The first baseman won the MVP Award in 2021, two Silver Slugger awards in 2023 and 2024, and All-Star selections in 2022, 2024 and 2026.
Harper will look to put the finishing touches on the Phillies' turnaround with a title this season, solidifying his status as a Philadelphia legend.
2. Reggie White, Philadelphia Eagles
Nicknamed the "Minister of Defense", White is largely viewed as one of, if not the best defender in NFL history. His dominance over the league started, nevertheless, with the Philadelphia Eagles taking a chance on him, signing him to a one-year, $1.85 million contract in September 1985.
White played two seasons in the USFL before signing with the Eagles, raising questions as to whether he would pan out in the NFL. He went on to take the league by storm, tallying a franchise-record 124 sacks, along with a single-season record of 21 sacks in just 12 games played in 1987. His awards with the Eagles include a Defensive Player of the Year nod in 1987, six first-team All-Pro selections, seven Pro Bowl selections, and of course a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
White's lack of a championship ring keeps him from taking the top spot. But as perhaps the best player in Eagles history, he's more than deserving of his placement here.
1. Moses Malone, Philadelphia 76ers
Malone has become a bit of a forgotten hero in Philadelphia. In conversations about all-time Sixers greats, he often gets lost behind the likes of Julius Erving, Charles Barkley and Allen Iverson. However, as the best player on one of the best Philadelphia sports teams ever, Malone more than deserves his spot atop this list.
Malone was named both NBA MVP and Finals MVP as he led Philadelphia to a championship in his first season in 1982-83, after signing a six-year, $13.2 million deal. That Sixers team was known as the Fo’ Fo’ Fo’ team, for Malone’s prediction that they would not lose a game in the postseason. They lost just one.
The big man’s latter years with the team were similarly successful, with five All-Star selections and two All-NBA selections. His jersey was retired by the team, and he was a first ballot Hall of Fame selection.
After signing James, the Sixers can only hope to return their franchise to the heights of Malone’s time with the team, serving as a perennial championship contender.
Adam Denn is an intern reporter for Delaware Online/The News Journal. You can reach him at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Is LeBron James the best Philadelphia sports signing ever? We rank them