The Sixer Sense
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Report: LeBron to Philly is a “50/50” chance

By Christopher Kline

CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 27: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers speaks with media after the game against the Brooklyn Nets on February 27, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 27: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers speaks with media after the game against the Brooklyn Nets on February 27, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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As the Philadelphia 76ers get ready to face the Cleveland Cavaliers, some big-time rumors are beginning to surface.

As I’ve said multiple times in the past, I would not bet my life savings on LeBron James joining the Philadelphia 76ers. He’s the best player in the world with significant ties to both Cleveland and Los Angeles, which would put Philly at an inherent disadvantage in free agency.

Still, the basketball fit makes a lot of sense, and James does have a personal connection to Ben Simmons. The validity of this statement is still debatable, but Alaa Abdelnaby said that LeBron, through a superintendent, was looking at private schools in the Philly area over All-Star weekend.

It’s tough to picture James doing something that blatant this early on, but I don’t take Abdelnaby as a liar either. You at least have to monitor the situation.

On top of that, Bill Simmons alluded to an “increasingly cozy” relationship between James’ circle and those around the Sixers. That’s just league-wide gossip, but again, smoke doesn’t appear out of thin air.

This piece from Sporting News does a nice job of running through all the rumors that have piled up.

Perhaps the biggest bombshell, however, came from local Sixers reporter Jon Johnson. According to him, one league source dubbed LeBron-to-Philly a “50/50” chance.

I’m not here to take these rumors at face value. I doubt LeBron is that close to a decision already, and the Sixers will have some heavy competition throughout free agency. If James is meeting with teams, there’s always a chance those interactions swing momentum away from Philadelphia and towards a team like Houston or Los Angeles.

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On top of that, LeBron staying in Cleveland still feels likely — even with all that has gone on this season. It’s his hometown team and he seems aware of where his legacy stands, however subjective that may be.

There’s a very real argument to be made that James should join the Sixers, and his arrival would make them instant favorites in the Eastern Conference. He’d join an elite defense with young legs and plenty of firepower. Joel Embiid is probably the best big man in the league outside of Anthony Davis.

On top of that, staying in the East gives him a better shot at dethroning the Warriors in the actual Finals, rather than facing them in the Western Conference Finals. I’m not sure how much that matters to him, but it’s worth noting.

Next: Markelle Fultz showing signs of progression

Don’t read too far into these rumors, but don’t ignore them either. Something is happening and LeBron is being connected to the Sixers with relative frequency. He did call the #PhillyWantsLeBron billboards dope.