The Philadelphia 76ers are reportedly entering the sweepstakes for LeBron James, who is expected to explore free agency this offseason. The Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers have been considered frontrunners, but the 76ers are now considered a strong contender.
According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the 76ers plan to leverage the relationship between James and 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey. Both players are represented by Klutch Sports Group, founded by James's business partner Rich Paul. Windhorst noted that Maxey and James have a close bond and have attended numerous events together.
Additionally, James reportedly has a positive relationship with 76ers center Joel Embiid, stemming from their time together winning a gold medal for Team USA at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The 76ers recently completed a trade on July 1, acquiring five-time All-Star Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics. The deal sent Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks to Boston in exchange for Brown. The addition of Brown already positions the Celtics as a potential favorite for the 2027 NBA Championship, and adding James would further enhance their roster.
While James's potential move to Philadelphia is not confirmed, his existing ties to key players on the 76ers roster could be a significant factor in his free agency decision.