LeBron James told the Los Angeles Lakers he is not coming back. That much is settled. Where the 41-year-old, 22-time All-Star lands next is the question swallowing the NBA offseason whole — and the Philadelphia 76ers have shoved their way to the front of the line.
The Athletic’s Tony Jones reported that the Sixers are among the teams expressing interest in James. ESPN’s Shams Charania said on NBA Today that Philadelphia “are trying to make a pitch” to the four-time MVP. Brian Windhorst added on the same network that the Sixers project as a legitimate suitor because Tyrese Maxey — already on the roster — is a fellow Klutch Sports Group client. Same agency, same dinner table. You connect the dots.
None of this exists in a vacuum. The Sixers detonated their old blueprint on July 1, shipping Paul George and four draft picks to the Boston Celtics for Jaylen Brown, who finished sixth in MVP voting last season before reportedly falling out of favor in Boston following comments after the Celtics’ playoff ouster — at the hands of Philadelphia, no less. Brown now joins a core of Joel Embiid, Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe, who finished third in Rookie of the Year voting. Add Dean Wade, signed to a four-year, $39 million deal out of Cleveland, plus free-agent guard Anfernee Simons and first-round pick Labaron Philon Jr., and the Sixers have already retooled faster than most franchises rebuild in five years.
Slap LeBron on top of that and you’re looking at a starting five that would make Eastern Conference opponents nauseous. Embiid at center, Brown and Maxey on the wings, Edgecombe running the second unit or starting alongside them, and James doing whatever James does at this stage — which, for the record, was 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds across 60 games last season. Not his peak. Still better than half the league’s primary options.
The courtship has moved past back-channel whispers. NBC Sports Philadelphia reported that Sixers owner Josh Harris had a brief, friendly conversation with James on July 17 during a VIP event at Fanatics Fest in New York. According to a source cited in that report, Harris — along with Maxey, Embiid, and Brown — have all personally told James they want him in Philadelphia and that the city would welcome him.
Philadelphia is not alone. The Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Miami Heat remain the other prominent suitors. ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported that Golden State received indication from James and his representatives that the Warriors are on his short list, though perhaps not at the top of it. Cleveland offers a storybook return to Akron. Miami pairs him with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. The Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves have also registered interest.
The rest of the league is effectively frozen waiting on the decision. John Hollinger of The Athletic wrote that chatter around a Trey Murphy trade with the Pelicans — and other league business — could resurface once James commits, since teams that miss on him may pivot to the New Orleans forward as a consolation prize.
Liberty Ballers, the Sixers’ SB Nation community, is already running headlines like “LeBron is going to be a Sixer (yes, this is real)” alongside backup-plan pieces in case the pursuit collapses. Sportsbooks have adjusted Philadelphia’s odds accordingly.
James is expected to take his time. He always does. The 2026-27 season tips off in October, and the Sixers have assembled a roster that would be formidable without him — and potentially overwhelming with him. Whether a 41-year-old with 22 years of mileage can hold up alongside a retooled core in a conference that just got younger and faster around him is the question nobody in Philadelphia wants to ask out loud.
Sources:
- Bleacher Report — New LeBron James Rumors Reveal 76ers as Landing Spot After Blockbuster Jaylen Brown Trade
- USA Today — LeBron James to Sixers? Rumors heat up after sudden Jaylen Brown trade
- FanSided — NBA Rumors: LeBron meets with 76ers owner, Trey Murphy trade waiting on LeBron
- Liberty Ballers — Sixers Trade Rumors