Rich Paul explains the Tyrese Maxey asterisk and how the Sixers learned LeBron James’ decision
Maxey, who occasionally works out with James during the summer and is one of Klutch Sports’ key clients, played a big role in the decision.
Sixers brass found out that they landed LeBron James in a group text.
The team’s ownership, front office, and Klutch Sports client Tyrese Maxey all received a short, four-word text message from Rich Paul, Klutch CEO and James’ agent.
“Congrats,” the text said. “Sixers it is.”
“I didn’t have time to text everybody,” Paul said on the Game Over podcast. “I had to put them all in a group chat.”
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Maxey, who occasionally works out with James during the summer and is one of Klutch Sports’ key clients, played a big role in the decision. During an earlier podcast episode where Paul broke down potential destinations for James, he put a star next to Maxey’s name.
“Maxey led the charge, on the Sixers,” Paul said. “He was starred on there, because, number one, the Sixers went through a change. It became Tyrese Maxey’s team. It’s still Tyrese Maxey’s team.
“Additionally, there was a star beside Tyrese’s name because, the fact that I represent Tyrese, I’ve been around him for seven years now, we talk all the time. LeBron has spent time with him, I know that that’s a positive based on the type of person.”
When assessing potential landing spots, James and Paul broke down numerous teams, and tried to identify what the potential issues could be with each spot. Maxey’s demeanor ultimately helped the Sixers earn much more consideration.
Paul said that Anthony Davis, who played with James on the Lakers, was an example of the type of personality that meshes well with James. Davis was unconcerned about taking the spotlight, and stayed focused on his family and on basketball.
“Same thing with Tyrese, I know that it’s a positive because he’s been around, they work out together,” Paul said. “He’s embracing the fact that, ‘Hey, if we can land this guy, I understand what comes with it, and I’m comfortable in my own skin and by the way, I want to win. I want the best chance of winning.’”
James met with Cleveland brass in Akron over the summer before signing, ESPN insider Shams Charania said. While many outside perceived Cleveland to be the favorite going in — so much so that Sixers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey told ESPN that his neighbors got mad at him for “taking” James — Paul said far more teams were under consideration than he discussed publicly.
“We never really heard from the Sixers, because the Sixers never really thought there was even a chance,” Paul said. Once Jaylen Brown was traded to Philadelphia, his conversations with James about the Sixers took a total 180.
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Paul also told ESPN that he thinks the move could end with James playing for longer than just his two-year contract.
“I think Philadelphia’s going to energize him,” Paul told ESPN. “Maybe we get two [seasons]. Maybe we get four.”
But despite all the hype around James’ signing, Paul still doesn’t believe this makes the Sixers frontrunners for an NBA title.
“The Sixers aren’t favorites to win it all,” Paul said. “I don’t think they are the best team in the league.”
Purchase a front page reprint of The Philadelphia Inquirer from Saturday, July 25, 2026, featuring LeBron James following the news that he was joining the 76ers. Buy it here.
