According to one report, LeBron James has four teams on his free agency short list — including the Philadelphia 76ers.
Just two years ago, the Philadelphia 76ers were finishing up a 10-72 season. They were one of, if not the worst team in NBA history, while injury concerns and a frontcourt logjam left serious questions about their future. Joel Embiid had spent two years on the sideline and Dario Saric was never coming over.
Now it’s March 2018, and the Sixers are rolling. They’ve been one of the league’s best teams since the new year began, currently standing at 35-28 with a chance to secure home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
Joel Embiid is an All-Star starter, and they have the last two No. 1 overall picks in their arsenal with Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz. Oh, and LeBron James might come to town next season.
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According to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, the King has four teams on his free agency short list: Cleveland, Houston, L.A. Lakers, and Philadelphia. All four seem like plausible destinations at this point, but the hype surrounding the Sixers has been notably high as of late.
On a personal level, I’m not sure how much stock to put into these rumors. The Rockets would be scary good with LeBron on board, and his legacy — if he cares about that at all, which he probably shouldn’t — might take a hit if he leaves Cleveland again. He has obvious business ties in Los Angeles as well.
That said, the Sixers do make a lot of sense. They’d surround him with one of the best defensive rotations in the league, all while giving him some young legs to share the court with. Embiid is the rim protector and perinnial Defensive Player of the Year candidate James has always lacked, while Simmons could be one heck of a mentee.
Shooters, star power, and an easier path to the Finals are all things he’d get in Philadelphia. I’d venture to say the Sixers give him a better supporting cast than Cleveland, for what it’s worth.
The simple thought of LeBron — the best player of our generation, if not all-time — would even consider the Sixers just two seasons removed from winning 10 games is insane. If that isn’t validation for Sam Hinkie’s plan and all those who trusted (and still trust) the Process, I’m not sure what is.
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Don’t get your hopes up, but it sure seems like James will give Philly a serious look in the coming months.