Landing Jaylen Brown was a major win for the Philadelphia Sixers, and that much was evident as soon as ESPN's Shams Charania first reported it last week. It could get even better if it lures LeBron James to Philly, which, as Rich Paul said on the latest episode of the "Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul" podcast, is a "great thing" for their chances.
Charania said on Tuesday that it "seems" Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Miami are in the lead for the 41-year-old superstar. He added that the Brown trade made James take the Sixers seriously as a suitor.
It says a lot that the Sixers are reportedly up there in the mix with the Cavaliers and the Heat, two teams that James has history with. Paul said that winning does matter for LeBron in terms of where he ends up next (he added there is more to it than that), and as Bob Myers, who was a guest on the podcast, said, Philadelphia would give him the best chance to do that.
Jaylen Brown trade could lead LeBron to the Sixers
If this were last Tuesday, when James informed the Lakers that he wouldn't be returning to LA for his 24th season, there wouldn't be much reason to believe he'd choose the Sixers. You can say a lot changed when the Celtics agreed to send him to Philadelphia for Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks.
By itself, the trade is what the Sixers needed to really have a chance to compete for a title next season, and if they're able to add LeBron to the mix because of it? Sheesh. He's not what he once was, but he's still pretty darn good for someone who will turn 42 in December and could seamlessly slide into Philadelphia's starting four spot.
The Sixers would have to manage his minutes (you try playing at a high level for 24 seasons), but they can deal with that, especially now that they have Brown.
From a basketball standpoint, James choosing Philadelphia would make sense; beyond that, it would be surprising for him to (potentially) end his career with a team he has no strong ties to. Still, the Brown trade means a lot more than just something. It was enough for him to seriously think about making the move to the Sixers.
Only LeBron knows when he will make his decision, but Philadelphia has to feel good about where it is in the race. And if he chooses the Sixers, it will feel even more surreal than the Brown trade did (and still does). Fans might not have to imagine what that would be like for much longer.
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