Jason Burgos
Several new reports suggest the Philadelphia 76ers are the new favorites to win the LeBron James free-agent sweepstakes this month.
Following a bunch of big trades, including blockbuster deals that sent Milwaukee Bucks legend Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat and Jaylen Brown to Philly, the biggest story in the NBA offseason is wondering where the 22-time All-Star will land in the free-agent market.
Since informing the Los Angeles Lakers he won’t return for a ninth season, the top contenders for the future Hall of Famer are believed to be the Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, Sixers, and Golden State Warriors. At one point, the Warriors seemed like the favorites, but now they look like the underdogs, according to recent reports.
First comes an update from veteran NBA insider Marc Stein. “What I do believe, based on actual reporting, is [the top contenders are] Cleveland, Miami, Philly. He is looking at Eastern Conference destinations with much more seriousness… He’s apparently open to going very, very far away from where he’s been for the last 8 years.”
Cleveland Cavaliers no longer the favorites in the LeBron James sweepstakes?
That certainly doesn’t mean the 76ers are leading the chase, but it puts them near the front. While many believe the Cavaliers are the likely landing spot, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst poured a bit of cold water on that idea yesterday.
“I’m hearing stuff in other cities too. I’m not gonna say who, but I had somebody on the phone with me today that I consider a good source who was swearing it’s a done deal in another city.”
– Brian Windhorst
LeBron James is a fan of 76ers coach and top star
That report would suggest it is a two-horse race between the 76ers and Heat for LeBron James. Then ESPN’s Dave McMenamin dropped a nugget of intelligence on Friday night that would suggest the NBA legend could be leaning toward heading to Philly this summer.
“Nick Nurse is a guy with a championship medal, and that is something LeBron certainly respects. Obviously, Nick Nurse is a Klutch client, and so that means there is familiarity… There is also a strong relationship between Tyrese Maxey and LeBron James. There are few players I have seen that LeBron talks about as glowingly as a player, but as a person, as he does about Tyrese.”
– Dave McMenamin
James has good relationships with members of the Heat’s leadership as well, so they can’t be ruled out. But after the 76ers acquired Brown earlier this month to add him to the talented roster they already have, Philly offers an intriguing option.
The draw of ending his career by helping Philadelphia get its first NBA championship since the 1980s would certainly appeal to the NBA great looking for one last big hill to climb.
