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The Philadelphia 76ers are being floated as a landing spot for Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James.
All eyes continue to be on LeBron James and his future with the Los Angeles Lakers. James can opt out of a two-year, $99 million contract to become a free agent this offseason. He is slated to have a $51.4 million cap hit in 2024-25 if he does not become a free agent.
The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the few contending teams with cap space this summer. While acknowledging that “the most surprising free-agent landing spot for LeBron James is ‘anywhere other than the Lakers,’” Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes wrote that the Sixers could be an easy option if he leaves LA.
“One uncomplicated element to get out of the way before delving into the particulars: The Sixers have the cash to simply sign James to a max deal,” Hughes wrote on May 23. “No muss, no fuss, no cap-clearing maneuvers. That flexibility sets Philly apart from every other semi-realistic James pursuer, and its possession of an in-prime MVP in Joel Embiid and rising star Tyrese Maxey doesn’t hurt either.
“A couple of other destinations have clearer ties to James, furthering the surprise factor that’d attend a LeBron-to-Philly move,” Hughes added.
“Again, James suiting up for literally any team other than the Lakers would be a first-class stunner. But the Sixers’ pile cap space, which is being handled by the relentlessly ambitious Daryl Morey, means they cannot be totally counted out.”
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Amy Fadool and Jim Lynam discuss the possibility of LeBron James declining his player option and entering free agency this summer.
James bolting the Lakers for the 76ers would be a move motivated by the star looking to add his fifth NBA championship by teaming up with Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha and Shams Charania, James has not ruled out opting in to his current deal rather than hitting NBA free agency.
“James has a June 29 deadline for his $51.4 million player option for the 2024-25 season,” Buha and Charania noted on May 21. “League sources told The Athletic that the opt-in and opt-out routes are both on the table, and the leading scorer in NBA history is expected to play up to two more seasons.”
Could 76ers Lure LeBron James by Drafting Bronny James?
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It would still be an upset if James does not return to the Lakers. The Bronny James factor looms over his decision despite Klutch Sports attempting to downplay the idea of the two playing together.
LeBron’s son is currently going through the pre-draft process ahead of the superstar also potentially hitting free agency. Could the Sixers attempt to entice James by selecting his son in the 2024 NBA draft?
According to NBA insider Shams Charania, LeBron is unlikely to follow his son to whichever team picks him in the draft.
“It would not surprise me in the coming weeks if a team does reach out to Rich Paul or anyone else that has an idea or LeBron James himself and says, ‘Hey, if we draft Bronny James, would you come as well?’” Charania said on the “Up & Adams Show” on May 17. “And the answer to that is going to be ‘no’ as of right now.”
