Barring any surprises, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James will opt out of his contract to sign a new deal.
The main question, of course, is whether LeBron James will re-sign with the Purple and Gold or choose a new team. If he goes to free agency, the 39-year-old and future Hall of Famer would be sought after by more than a dozen teams.
According to a report from Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia 76ers will explore LeBron James if they don’t get another pending UFA in Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George:
“The Sixers do have their eyes on other lucrative-salary impact players just in case they don’t get George. That’s why they also are looking at potential free agents like the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James and New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby. If not in free agency, the Sixers believe they can use their draft assets and available cap space to acquire a difference-maker via a trade. That has led to Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, and New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram being among trade interests.”
During TNT’s alternate broadcast of the Dallas Mavericks-Minnesota Timberwolves Game 2 Western Conference Finals showdown on Friday, Rich Paul (James’ agent) seemingly let it slip that his client will be going to free agency.
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The 76ers have been a consistent playoff team with Joel Embiid leading the way, but they haven’t been able to advance past the second round. Philadelphia has surrounded him with plenty of stars, including Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris, James Harden and Ben Simmons.
Philadelphia won their play-in game against the Miami Heat to qualify as the seventh seed this year, but they were ousted by the New York Knicks in six games. Clearly, they need another superstar to complement Embiid if they’re to get over the hump.
LeBron James & 76ers Are An Ideal Fit
Any of the 30 NBA teams would love to add James to their roster, but the 76ers especially stand out as a logical landing spot for the future Hall of Famer.
One can only assume that James would prefer to play for a contender at the twilight of his career, and he would do wonders working alongside a perennial MVP candidate in Embiid. Considering how weak the East is, the 76ers could emerge as the team to beat if they were able to add James in free agency.
