The Sixer Sense
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Bill Simmons agrees: LeBron to Philadelphia 76ers makes sense

By Rusty Gorelick

MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 23: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket against the Memphis Grizzlies on February 23, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 23: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket against the Memphis Grizzlies on February 23, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Ringer’s Bill Simmons discussed how LeBron can leapfrog M.J. Simmons thinks signing with the Philadelphia 76ers would help the King.

Imagine this: the King, on his way to the end of arguably the best career of anyone to ever step on a basketball court, signs with the Philadelphia 76ers to pass the torch to the next men up, Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.

It’s a realistic possibility for many reasons. If LeBron James signs for the Warriors or the Rockets, all the positive opinions about him will disintegrate. If he goes to the Lakers, he and Lavar Ball will probably get into a fist-fight before Christmas.

In his article, Simmons said that LeBron loves narratives. What narrative would be better than the GOAT joining the Process and helping it accomplish its goals? It would bring back the worldwide respect that the franchise may have lost between 2013 and 2016, and it would validate every decision Sam Hinkie made.

Philly makes the most sense out of any possible destination for the four-time MVP. Cap space, young talent, a big media market, and the ability to expand his personal brand both in Philadelphia and New York are the major perks that will draw him to the Cradle of Liberty. With the 76ers, LeBron will get to play with Joel Embiid, the type of player he has needed to play with in order to maximize his performance.

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With Embiid and James, the Sixers would have one of the best one-two punches in NBA history, depending on how Embiid develops and how LeBron ages. Each player attracts double-teams regularly already, and teams would not be able to defend them one-on-one if they play together next year.

Obviously, the Sixers will still have Simmons, Robert Covington, Dario Saric, and hopefully a healthy Markelle Fultz next season, which would give the Philadelphia 76ers six formidable scorers on the roster, including James, assuming he joins.

Bill Simmons argued that the Los Angeles Lakers would be the best place for LeBron to end his career, but that is simply not the case. The Sports Guy predicted that LeBron and another star, possibly Paul George, would fill out the two max contract spaces the Lakers currently have available and that the arrival of the King would force Magic Johnson to deal Lonzo Ball away from the franchise, but trading the Big Baller will be a lot harder than it sounds.

First off, imagine the noise Lavar Ball would make the Lakers deal his boy away from the only team LaVar would let him play for. No NBA franchise in their right mind would want to deal with that. Second, Lonzo’s 35.6 field goal percentage, 30.8 three-point percentage, and 48 free throw percentage mean that LA would have a hard time getting a valuable player in return.

He’s doing well in terms of assists (7.1 per game) and rebounds (7.1 per game), but his shambolic shooting will have potential suitors doubting whether or not he’s worth the gamble.

The Sixers’ future is more stable than the Lakers’. Ben Simmons, Covington, and Saric make up a dependable supporting cast for LeBron, and if Embiid stays healthy and Fultz fixes his jump shot, then the addition of LBJ will make the Philadelphia 76ers into the NBA’s next super-team.

If Bill Simmons, a noted and vocal Celtics fan, thinks that LeBron-to-Philly is possible, then it really could be in the cards for this summer. The Sixers will have around $29 million in cap space ahead of next summer and will fall short of the luxury tax limit by nearly $49 million. There’s plenty of money available for Philly to give LeBron, and his potential co-stars are already on the team.

Next: Grading every Sixers player thus far

The narrative is there, the money is there, and the players are there. The hint from Ben Simmons via Instagram is there, too. Philly fans will eagerly await June 30th to see if the King will join the Process, and if he does, the Philadelphia 76ers will become title favorites immediately.