sportingnews
When LeBron James departed the Los Angeles Lakers in late June, he had the entire league as potential suitors for his services. Numerous franchises submitted bids to James and his representative, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul.
A week after James' announcement, another seismic shift occurred in the NBA landscape: the Philadelphia 76ers traded Paul George and a collection of draft picks to acquire Jaylen Brown. The move was widely praised as a masterstroke, landing a player who had just earned All-NBA Second Team honors.
Initially, James did not consider Philadelphia as a viable option. Teams such as the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Miami Heat made pitches, but none resulted in a signing. However, the 76ers' roster overhaul ultimately convinced the four-time Finals MVP that Philadelphia was the right fit.
According to Rich Paul, speaking on his "Game Over" podcast, the 76ers never believed they had a chance to land James before the Brown trade. "We never heard from the Sixers because the Sixers never really thought it was even a chance," Paul said. He added that while he frequently talks to Tyrese Maxey, the possibility of James joining Philadelphia was not discussed.
Before July 6, the 76ers were seen as a good team but with a limited ceiling due to George's presence and Joel Embiid's injury history. The acquisition of Brown, however, elevated the franchise into a legitimate contender, prompting James to reconsider. With a roster now featuring Brown, Embiid, Maxey, and rookie VJ Edgecombe, the 76ers are poised to compete for a championship in the 2026-27 season.
Originally reported by sportingnews.