How do the Sixers stack up as a LeBron James destination? Breaking down his reported top 3 contenders.
Though James has no previous tie to the Sixers, he would perfectly slide into a starting lineup already featuring Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, and VJ Edgecombe.
LeBron James’ free-agency decision (4.0) still lingered through Wednesday.
It looks like agent Rich Paul intends to continue turning this into content for his Game Over podcast. Bob Myers, the president of Harris Blizter Sports & Entertainment, was the guest on the episode released Wednesday to, among other things, make his pitch for the Sixers.
» READ MORE: Brad Stevens says he would rather have not traded Jaylen Brown to Philly, but the Celtics did what they had to do
Though James’ answer could be far from imminent, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Sixers are now in the all-timer’s top three contenders. Philly joins the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, two former homes where James won NBA championships. And Paul has said James will make his choice based on “happiness,” which could pertain to basketball, to life, or some combination of the two.
What are the cases for the three remaining possibilities? Here is a breakdown.
Sixers
Pros
A perfect fit
Paul said while breaking down his now-famous white board of possible James landing spots that “everything changed” with the Sixers once they pulled off the blockbuster trade for Jaylen Brown.
James would perfectly slide into the forward spot of a potent starting group, which also features former NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid, All-NBA third-teamer Tyrese Maxey, and standout young guard VJ Edgecombe.
Though the cliché that James’ skill set and exceptional basketball IQ fits with any team is true, the Sixers do make a ton of basketball sense.
A fourth title
Coming to Philly also would allow James to chase a championship with a fourth team, enhancing his argument as the greatest player in basketball history.
There also would be some oomph behind doing it with the Sixers, a storied franchise that has not advanced past the playoffs’ second round since 2001 and has not won a championship since 1983.
If James helps the Sixers finally over the hump, that is a legacy-building final act.
The Maxey connection
James also has a longtime friendship with Maxey, another prime Klutch client. Maxey has worked out with James since his predraft process in 2020. Maxey’s name had an asterisk next to it on Paul’s white board.
James also has ties to president of basketball operations Mike Gansey, who played against the NBA star in high school and worked in the Cavaliers organization for over a decade. His brother, Steven, even may have been the first to hint that the Sixers had a real shot to land James.
Shortly after the Brown trade, Steven tweeted a photo of James and Mike Gansey together as high-schoolers with the eyeballs emoji.
Cons
No history
Unlike Cleveland and Miami, James has no past connection to the Sixers. And like his Lakers tenure, it is worthwhile to consider how he would be embraced by a proud and passionate (and parochial) sports market.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Pros
A storybook ending
It would be the ultimate storybook ending for James to end his career with his hometown team — and where he began his NBA journey and ended the Cavaliers’ championship drought in 2016.
It would be worthy of a documentary or miniseries, just in case anybody happens to be considering that. And that might trump, well, anything else on this list.
Top-end talent
The Cavaliers boast a talented roster — led by All-NBA guard Donovan Mitchell, defensive big man Evan Mobley, and (likely) fellow longtime star James Harden — that just advanced to the Eastern Conference finals.
Front-office ties
Brandon Weems, one of James’ closest friends and high-school teammate, is Cleveland’s assistant general manager. Interestingly, Weems could be promoted to general manager after Gansey left that position to join the Sixers.
Cons
Odd fit with Harden
On the surface, it feels like an odd fit with Harden, though the former MVP and scoring champ is more of a table-setter at this point in his career. Harden also remains a free agent.
Been there, done that
There is a “been there, done that” element to returning to the Cavaliers for the third time.
Is there a light risk in dimming his legacy — either in Cleveland or in the broader basketball universe — if this swan song backfires?
Miami Heat
Pros
Heat culture
James returns to the glamour market — and #HeatCulture —where he won his first two championships.
Leadership continuity
Though the roster obviously has changed, organizational continuity remains at the top.
Miami is still coached by Erik Spoelstra and run by Pat Riley, with whom James has repaired his relationship after he left Miami to return to Cleveland in 2014.
» READ MORE: Dean Wade believes his self-made defense and ready-made shooting are a great fit next to Sixers’ stars
The Greek Freak
The Heat just traded for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Cons
Been there, done that (too)
Ditto on the “been there, done that” element. The Decision to go to Miami in 2010 was seismic. How would it feel 16 years later?
Clunky offense
Antetokounmpo pairing with versatile big man Bam Adebayo has the potential to be a clunky fit, at least initially. The Heat also traded much of their depth — including scoring guard Tyler Herro — in order to get Antetokounmpo.
Because of all of that, right now Miami still feels a tick below the other top Eastern Conference contenders.
