For likely the last time, the Sixers are in the hunt to acquire LeBron James.
Philly has been burned before, dreaming of signing James in 2010, 2014, and 2018, only to wind up empty-handed as he used that leverage to sign elsewhere.
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Even now, it seems like the favorite in the clubhouse is a return to Cleveland for what could be his final NBA season. But after acquiring Jaylen Brown, the Sixers have been aggressive in pitching James on coming to Philadelphia. The latest involves the man who led the search to replace Daryl Morey — Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment president Bob Myers — pitching James’ agent Rich Paul directly.
Bob Myers joins Rich Paul’s podcast
On Friday’s episode of Paul’s Game Over podcast with Max Kellerman, Paul, the head of Klutch Sports and James’ longtime friend, used a whiteboard to break down the teams interested in his client, spawning many conspiracy theories about where the four-time MVP could land. Less than a week later, Myers made an appearance to make his case for the Sixers, one of the first teams on Paul’s viral whiteboard.
“If he was here, I’d say I honestly believe [Philly] is your best chance to win,” Myers said. “… What I would just say is, if it’s about winning, let’s talk about this team. Because you can win here in Philly.”
Previously on the podcast, Paul said “everything changed” for James when the Sixers acquired Brown, turning Philly into a much more attractive destination. He also pointed to James’ relationships with executive vice president Jameer Nelson, who was an early NBA contemporary, and president of basketball operations Mike Gansey, against whom he played in high school in Ohio. And Paul discussed how James would fit with some of the current Sixers, including fellow Klutch Sports client Tyrese Maxey.
“He loves Maxey, so we don’t even have to talk about that,” he said. “I think VJ [Edgecombe], he helps VJ understand really how to play the game. Obviously, Jaylen Brown. Embiid, his health and habits, the health and habits of Embiid are there. [James] enhances everything there. He unlocks everything there.”
Sixers still among LeBron’s top teams
Does that all mean there’s actually a chance? Or is it still a leverage play? After their offseason signings, the Sixers only have the space to sign James to a veteran minimum. That shouldn’t be a deal-breaker for James, who reportedly is more interested in his legacy than money, but it could indicate that the Sixers don’t have much confidence.
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ESPN NBA insiders Brian Windhorst and Shams Charania believe the team has a real shot. And, according to Charania, Philly is among his top three teams.
“When the Sixers got Jaylen Brown, I did some research, and [LeBron] is taking their pitch very seriously,” Charania said Tuesday. “When I talk to teams now I have a hierarchy of Cleveland, Miami, Philadelphia, and then some teams on the peripheral.”
Meanwhile, Windhorst reported that while there’s a lean toward Cleveland, the Sixers don’t feel like they’re out of it.
“While there is a ‘vibe’ pointing toward the Cavs, coming off their best non-LeBron season in more than 30 years and signing Donovan Mitchell to a four-year maximum contract extension, other teams are not counting themselves out,” Windhorst wrote. “The Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Philadelphia 76ers each believe they have a compelling case, per sources.“
It’s not clear when James expects to make a decision, and the speculation could continue deeper into the summer. But it does appear James is at least considering the Sixers. Then again, he said that last time.
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