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The Sixers are in the hunt for LeBron James and Philly is losing its collective mind The city has been down the road of LeBron flirtations before, but agent Rich Paul added a major boost to the speculation on his podcast.
The city has been down the road of LeBron flirtations before, but agent Rich Paul added a major boost to the speculation on his podcast.
On Friday, James agent and Klutch Sports head Rich Paul confirmed Philadelphia as a possible destination for the four-time NBA champion on Paulspodcast.
Paul, who hosts the show alongside Max Kellerman, wheeled out a white board filled with the various teams James is considering.
The Sixers, one of 10 teams listed, were discussed at length.
, who is also a client of Klutch Sports, as basically a part of LeBrons extended family.
Kellerman looked to clarify whether the Sixers had gained James attention.How could you not have the attention when you have Maxey, Edgecombe, Brown and Embiid? Paul replied.
loves Maxey so we dont even have to talk about that, Paul added.
I think VJ, he helps VJ understand really how to play the game.
already super talented, plays both ends of the floor, plays hard every night.
The benefit that he gets, I mean, it would be ridiculous.
Obviously, Jaylen Brown.
If James were to join Philadelphia, it is expected that he would complement the scoring prowess of Maxey, Brown, and when healthy.
Last season, James Los Angeles teammate Luka Doncic led the league in points per game while James still put up near All-Star numbers.
In 60 appearances, the 41-year old averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists.Meanwhile, Brown and Maxey finished near the top of the NBA scoring ranks last season, finishing fourth and fifth in points per game, respectively.
However, Embiids health seems to loom over James decision as it does over most Sixers conversations.
When discussing Philadelphias roster, Kellerman pointed out that Embiid is the teams best player when on the floor.
This has become a rarity in recent years.The Sixers big man has dealt with a slew of injuries since coming into the league.
He has played in just 96 games in the three seasons since his MVP campaign.
Paul added that Embiids health and habits are vital.LeBron James connection to Mike Gansey, how the Sixers can afford him, and what happened the last time they tried to sign him Later in the conversation, after discussing Giannis Antetokounmpos Miami Heat as a possible option for James, Paul circled back to the Sixers.
This time, Paul pointed to the Sixers revamped front office as an enticing factor, singling out general manager Jameer Nelson and president of basketball operations X-factor about the Sixers though, we forgot about something Paul said.Jameer Nelson is a part of the front office ex-player.
Mike Gansey, you know Mike Gansey is Ohio guy, played against us in high school.
Nelson, a native of Chester, starred at Saint Josephs before putting together a 14-year NBA career.
Nelson, who is just three years older than James, played against the four-time MVPGansey and James go back even further.As Paul pointed out, the two Ohioans competed in high school with Gansey finishing behind just James in the 2001 Mr.
Ohio Basketball race.
On Wednesday, Ganseys brother, Steven, posted a photograph of Gansey and James in high school on X.
Paul saw the photograph, referencing it onAlong with the Sixers and the Heat, eight other teams were listed on Pauls white board of possible destinations: the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets.Pauls comments about James likelihood of landing in Philadelphia sent ripples through Sixers social media which was already on high alert following multiple reports and speculation on the subject Thursday.
My insane "Here's why LeBron to Philly could happen" take is that the post-Jaylen Brown trade Sixers are probably the best team he could go to where the narrative would still be"LeBron put them over the top" if they won instead of "LeBron tagged himself on to ring chaseBro if Im Lebron Im looking at Philly and Im salivating.Because Brown, VJ, Embiid and Maxey.
Plus they got Angelos and Dalessandros kinda a no brainer if you ask me.
Others are playing the role of detective, drawing attention to the order of the white board names and a suspicious star next to Maxeys name.Meanwhile, some are not buying the speculation or are experiencing flashbacks to 2018 free agency.
Then, James was linked to the Sixers and the city launched a campaign to sign the all-time great.
Sixers representatives, headlined by then-coach and interim general manager Brett Brown, met with Klutch Sports but James did not attend the meeting.
Soon after, he opted for the bright lights of Los Angeles instead.Stars care stars not GMs.
Sixers need to pitch the talent.