{"id":205160,"date":"2026-07-19T14:30:46","date_gmt":"2026-07-19T18:30:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=205160"},"modified":"2026-07-19T13:36:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-19T17:36:41","slug":"76ers-lebron-james","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/07\/19\/76ers-lebron-james\/","title":{"rendered":"Are the Philadelphia 76ers a Serious Contender for LeBron James?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Despite being 41 years old and just wrapping up his 23rd season in the NBA, LeBron James<\/a>‘ entry into free agency has been met with a lot of buzz.<\/p>\n

James informed his former team<\/a>, the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a>, that they can “move on without him” as he plans on playing elsewhere, according to his agent and Klutch Sports CEO, Rich Paul.<\/p>\n

With James’ next decision imminent, several names have emerged as possible landing spots. Returns to the Miami Heat<\/a> and the Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> have been mentioned, as well as a potential move to the Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Are the Philadelphia 76ers a Serious Contender for LeBron James?<\/h2>\n

However, another notable name is the Philadelphia 76ers<\/a>, who recently made a trade for 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown<\/a>. With this deal, the Sixers have assembled a big three of Brown, former MVP Joel Embiid<\/a>, and All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey<\/a>.<\/p>\n

So, if James chooses the Sixers, how would he fit with them?<\/p>\n

Dropping Hints<\/h3>\n

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ESPN recently reported that the Sixers are still in pursuit of James<\/a> through their big three, with whom James has notable connections.<\/p>\n

Maxey is a Klutch Sports client who has trained with James in previous offseasons. Embiid was James’ teammate during the 2024 Paris Olympics. And Brown, a notable foe of James from their past Eastern Conference battles, was praised as an MVP candidate<\/a> by James earlier this year.<\/p>\n

“JB is playing great basketball, man. This whole MVP thing, I don’t understand why his name is not getting talked about some, as well. Nobody gave them a shot to start the season. He’s averaging, what, 30? Just under 30. It’s a popularity contest sometimes.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

However, his connections to the Sixers<\/a> go much farther than fellow players. In addition to Maxey, head coach Nick Nurse is also a client of Klutch Sports. The team’s general manager, Jameer Nelson<\/a>, spent 14 seasons in the NBA, playing against James for a number of years in the Eastern Conference.<\/p>\n

Additionally, Sixers president of basketball operations, Mike Gansey, played against James in high school and was an executive with the Cavaliers during James’ second stint with the franchise. He recently stated that the Sixers would “love to have LeBron.”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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\u201cWe\u2019ve had conversations with Rich, really since the Jaylen trade. LeBron and his camp have kept quiet, and there has been speculation for different teams. But we\u2019d obviously love to have LeBron. I respect the heck out of him. In my opinion, he\u2019s the best player of all time. I think his decision is dragging out because he has a lot of good options and he wants to figure it out. He would obviously add a lot to our team. But at the end of the day, I know he\u2019s going to make the right decision for him and his family.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n