While the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat had been the three main teams expected to target LeBron James in free agency, at least one other team is also going to be in the mix.
The Philadelphia 76ers are the latest team to enter the LeBron Sweepstakes.
“My understanding is the Sixers will also be making a pitch to LeBron’s agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports to see if they can get in that contention to get LeBron James, who is a free agent and obviously listening right now in unrestricted free agency,” ESPN’s Shams Charania said Thursday on SportsCenter.
The Sixers, of course, engineered a blockbuster trade with the Boston Celtics for Jaylen Brown on Wednesday, trading away 36-year-old Paul George along with two first-round and two second-round picks for a player who just outside of the NBA MVP conversation this past season. The trade was widely viewed as a huge win for the Sixers, with ESPN’s Mike Wilbon calling it “insane.”
The Sixers, who beat the Celtics in the first round of the NBA playoffs, also on Thursday added free agent guard Anfernee Simons on a 2-year, $12.3 million deal to bolster their weak bench, per Charania.
Simons averaged 14.3 points and shot 39% from deep last season.
The Sixers could now field a starting five of Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Brown, Dean Wade and Joel Embiid next season. Brown spoke Thursday with Maxey and Edgecombe, Charania reported.
They had the third-best odds to win the Eastern Conference, and that was before the addition of Simons, per DraftKings.
As for Brown, he issued the following statement on Thursday:
“First and foremost, thank you to the Most High, even in the midst of adversity. I’m here with gratitude.
“I’m still processing how this all went down. I’m excited and disappointed at the same time. I earned my respect from this city. I never asked for shortcuts or special treatment. I simply showed up every day, put my head down, and accepted every challenge.
“The relationships I built here, the battles we fought together, the championship we brought to this city, and the connection I shared with the fans, I’ll carry on with me.
“Saying goodbye isn’t easy when you’ve invested your heart into something.
“I’m big on respect and actions speak louder than words. To the people of Boston, thank you. To the community I built here I love you, and to the shiftaz we are locked in for life.
“As one chapter closes, another begins.
“I’m excited for what’s ahead and grateful for the opportunity to join Philadelphia. Every city has its own identity, its own passion, and its own expectation. I respect that, and I’m looking forward to earning that respect the only way I know how.. through the work.
“Philly – throw the ball up let’s get it!”
As for James, he will be 42 in December and announced this week he will be moving on from his eight-year tenure with the L.A. Lakers.
The 76ers are already shaping up to be one of the most compelling teams in the NBA and would be Must-See TV with the addition of LeBron James.