LeBron James told the Los Angeles Lakers he’s not coming back for a ninth season, and the team that just pulled off the offseason’s most jaw-dropping trade has suddenly muscled its way to the front of the line for his services.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported this week that the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Miami Heat have separated themselves as the top three suitors for the 41-year-old unrestricted free agent — and that James is taking Philadelphia’s pitch “really seriously.” The Sixers weren’t even in the conversation until they acquired Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics on July 1, sending Paul George and four draft picks the other way. Within 24 hours of that deal, Charania said, James’ camp began treating Philly as a legitimate destination.
The pitch is being delivered through an unusual channel. Bob Myers — the architect of Golden State’s dynasty who now serves as president of sports for the 76ers’ ownership group, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment — appeared on the “Game Over” podcast hosted by James’ agent, Rich Paul, and Max Kellerman. Sitting next to Paul, Myers made his case directly.
“If you’re talking about the Sixers, if he was here, I would say, ‘I honestly believe this is your best chance to win,'” Myers said. He argued that a starting five featuring Brown, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe would complement James seamlessly. “The skill sets complement. It’s very complementary. Because LeBron’s been a high-usage guy, but he doesn’t have to be.”
Myers even offered to back it up under oath: “You hook me up to a polygraph, all these teams you’re thinking about, I think the Sixers would beat those teams.”
The fit isn’t just theoretical. James shares Klutch Sports representation with Maxey — the two have worked out together in summers — and he won Olympic gold alongside Embiid at the 2024 Paris Games. He knows the personnel.
The money is where it gets uncomfortable. James earned $52.6 million last season. NBC Sports Philadelphia, citing The Athletic’s Tony Jones, reported that joining the Sixers would require a “very sizable pay cut,” with Embiid, Brown, and Maxey already consuming the bulk of the cap. There is no guaranteed max waiting for him anywhere — Charania noted that James entered free agency without a predetermined plan or a clear market value, which is what made Philadelphia’s sudden emergence possible.
The Sixers haven’t reached the Eastern Conference Finals since 2001. They haven’t won a championship since 1983. A second-round sweep at the hands of the New York Knicks this past postseason made the roster overhaul a necessity, not a luxury. Brown, who finished sixth in MVP voting, reportedly fell out of favor in Boston after comments following the Celtics’ playoff exit — at the hands of Philadelphia, no less.
Charania framed the race as a hierarchy: Cleveland, Miami, Philadelphia, with the Golden State Warriors lingering on the periphery. ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported the Warriors received indication they remain on James’ short list, though perhaps not at the top of it. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst added that James has been “very secretive” about the process, and Marc Stein reported it’s unclear whether he’ll take any in-person meetings at all — teams may have to go entirely through Paul.
James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds in 60 games last season, his 22nd consecutive All-Star appearance. He turns 42 in December. Whatever he decides, it won’t be a max-contract coronation. It’ll be a chess move by a guy who’s been playing chess longer than most of the league has been alive.
Sources
- Bleacher Report — Bob Myers Pitches LeBron James on Joining 76ers
- USA Today — LeBron James to Sixers? Rumors heat up after sudden Jaylen Brown trade
- Yahoo Sports — LeBron James reportedly taking 76ers’ pitch ‘really seriously’
- NBC Sports Philadelphia — Report: Sixers have expressed interest in acquiring LeBron James