NBA free agency talks continue to revolve around LeBron James, who has yet to announce his next team. The four-time NBA champ reportedly has the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Philadelphia 76ers as the top contenders to get his signature.
On the 76ers’ end, an NBA insider revealed that their pitch to James hasn’t come only from the front office.
LeBron James Rumors: Insider Names Tyrese Maxey as 76ers Star Leading Philadelphia’s Recruitment
About a week ago, Bob Myers, president of Harris Blitzer Sports, the ownership group that runs the 76ers, appeared on the “Game Over” podcast co-hosted by Max Kellerman and James’ agent, Rich Paul.
Myers underlined Philadelphia’s championship aspirations, which would get a major boost with the four-time NBA Finals MVP on board. The executive added that if he had the chance to speak with James, he’d convince him that the superstar’s best chance of winning another title is with the 76ers.
On Tuesday, NBA insider Dave McMenamin shared intel on who is also campaigning for the 76ers to land James.
“Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Jaylen Brown have all been in communication with James, sources told ESPN on Tuesday, with Maxey leading the charge,” McMenamin wrote.
Maxey’s name in front of Philly’s push to sign James is unsurprising. Both are represented by Paul, who said that the NBA’s all-time leading scorer “loves” the cat-quick point guard.
McMenamin added that there is also an allure to James joining forces with Embiid. After facing each other multiple times in the past, the two played together in Team USA’s gold-medal romp in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
There is also mutual respect between James and Brown, per McMenamin. Last season, the former highlighted the latter’s MVP campaign, which James said did not receive enough media recognition.
Philadelphia’s projected starting lineup currently includes Embiid, Brown, Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Dean Wade. Already, that quintet is one of the most formidable in the NBA.
If James joins the team and replaces Wade, the 76ers could become one of the bona fide championship contenders.
However, James’ fit with the 76ers doesn’t seem as seamless as it is on paper.
With the Lakers this past season, James sometimes became the third option on offense behind Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Although he did not publicly complain about the situation, ESPN reported early this month that it was an indicator that ended the 22-time All-Star’s stay in Los Angeles.
By joining the 76ers, the 41-year-old superstar could potentially end up in the same situation.
James continues to weigh his options as free agency bleeds into its third week. Until he decides, teams and their stars can continue making their cases as his next basketball destination.
