The Sixer Sense
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What does Ben Simmons LeBron connection mean for the Philadelphia 76ers?

By Bret Stuter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 23: Ben Simmons, Brett Brown and Jonah Bolden of the Philadelphia 76ers pose for a photo at the Sixers Training Complex on June 23, 2017 in Camden, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant /NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 23: Ben Simmons, Brett Brown and Jonah Bolden of the Philadelphia 76ers pose for a photo at the Sixers Training Complex on June 23, 2017 in Camden, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant /NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The current superstar in the NBA is LeBron James. But more and more, he is connected to the Philadelphia 76ers Ben Simmons. What can this mean?

The Philadelphia 76ers are not at the level of the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Nor is Ben Simmons at the level of LeBron James.  LeBron James dictates where he plays. Drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers, he shook the NBA earth when he decided to move his wares to the Miami Heat. Then the earth shook once more when he decided to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now?

Christopher Kline did a great job discussing the mentor perspective of James and Simmons.  In that article, he narrates the similarity of Simmons and James as ball handlers who are too tall and gifted to play as point guards.   He does a great job of delving into the perspective of an NBA veteran passing valuable knowledge and experience to the young rookie.

He sees it at the personal level.  A young NBA player who doesn’t fit any role directly, but whose skillsets encompass the best of nearly every NBA position, will need help defining his path in the NBA.  And for that, he has the help of LeBron James.

Ben Simmons is a baller.

Brown-Simmons-LeBron?

But there is another side to this.  Ben Simmons is linked to LeBron, but is also linked to head coach Brett Brown. Right now, Brown is the head coach for the Philadelphia 76ers. And he is not going anywhere.

Ben Simmons is a red-shirt rookie about to debut for the Philadelphia 76ers.  According to all NBA rookie contracts, that means four years with the team that drafted him. Right now, that means the Philadelphia 76ers have Simmons until the end of the 2019-2020 season.

The only piece to this trio who can be on the move anytime soon is LeBron James. Right now, TheRinger.com’s Bill Simmons is asserting that LeBron James is on the move to the west next year.

Right player, wrong team.

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    • LeBron not ready for Philly yet

    On one hand, there is no way LeBron James has Philadelphia on his radar as a team to play for… yet. On the other hand, there is no way the Philadelphia 76ers had a chance at either J.J. Redick or Amir Johnson this year based on last year’s perspective.

    Things change.

    The Philadelphia 76ers are not up to LeBron’s level …yet.  But in a year?  If the team surges into the playoff and wins a series?  As the team makes ready to sign Joel Embiid and Robert Covington, would a LeBron signing happen?

    Likely not under the current salary cap.

    But that happens with any team hoping to sign LeBron. At some point, the Philadelphia 76ers will exceed the cap.  In a game of dominoes, they must fall the right way.  Relationships in the NBA lead to deals.  And those relationships take time to foster.

    Next: Philadelphia 76ers sights set on Eastern Conference title in two years

    LeBron is a competitor. He wants to win.  Right now, he knows that the Cavaliers did not have enough to win it all this season. If the Cavaliers do not win next year, he may seek a new team. But don’t bet on a move to the far west. He knows something special is happening in Philly. It’s only natural for his competitive nature to seek an opportunity to be a part of that success.