It took less than a week for LeBron James’ arrival with the Philadelphia 76ers to turn into a full-blown merch rush.
Fanatics has already seen some versions of James’ new No. 23 Sixers jersey sell out, and the appetite isn’t limited to the big retailers. “King James” bootleg gear is already showing up on boardwalks down the Jersey Shore and in South Philly Sports Complex.
For fans looking to buy in, plenty of local shops have jumped in with their own takes on James in Sixers colors after his two-year deal in Philadelphia.
Dhwani Saraiya Art is already offering T-shirts and prints on its Etsy shop, including one built around James’ infamous “chalk toss” with a Liberty Bell twist.
Heavy Slime is leaning into the moment too. After James said his decision would be his “last decision,” the Philly artist put out a “One Last Ride Tee” for fans hoping he can bring home a title and “finish The Process.”
Mitchell & Ness drew a line at its Center City flagship store on Sunday, just days after the signing, as fans showed up to buy merch. Its website already features multiple James T-shirts for the upcoming season.
Phillygoat has gone beyond the standard shirt. The site, started by three brothers who grew up in Delaware County, is selling a James onesie for kids along with a “LeBROAD STREET BULLIES” T-shirt and other options.
Philly Drinkers is taking a more playful route, offering an “I’m Taking my Talents to South Philly” T-shirt in a font that pays tribute to “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.”
Veterans Shirtium has its own lineup for Philly sports fans, with mugs, T-shirts and stickers featuring the city’s favorite athletes. It’s also selling a “Can’t Believe This My Life” T-shirt, the meme James made famous and the Sixers posted after announcing the deal.
In Other News...
Another Recent Sixers Pick Already Feels Like A Front Office Whiff
The Sixers are already revisiting a second-round decision from last years draft, a reminder of how quickly the margins can shift for a team trying to reset its roster. Johni Broome was taken 35th overall under the previous front office, but his first season never really gave Philadelphia much reason to believe the pick would become a clean fit for what the team needs going forward.
Broome spent most of his rookie year in the G League and then got hurt late in the season, leaving the Sixers with even less to evaluate as they weigh their next move. The bigger issue now is not just whether he can develop, but whether the current regime sees a path for him in a roster that appears headed in a different direction than the one that drafted him. [Read more 🡒]
Sixers Fans Should Watch This Wing Market Drama Very Closely
The wing market is starting to take shape, and it is the kind of development that can matter far beyond Cleveland and Los Angeles. Jonathan Kuminga remains a name to watch, with the Cavaliers and Lakers both still in the mix even after Cleveland added Mario Hezonja on a one-year deal, a move that helps fill out the rotation but does not necessarily close the door on bigger swings.
For the Sixers, the real intrigue is how this kind of bidding war can ripple through the rest of the market. The Hawks are over the roster limit, which keeps the path to Kuminga tied to a sign-and-trade and gives the interested teams a reason to keep pressing, and any wing chase that heats up around him can quickly change what is available for everyone else looking to improve on the perimeter. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Are All In On Klay But One Problem Wont Go Away
Miamis free-agent board has narrowed quickly, and the focus has settled on Klay Thompson as the kind of shooting guard who could fit next to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. The Heat are reportedly willing to stay patient rather than jump into the market for DeMar DeRozan or Bradley Beal, with their $8 million exception sitting there as a possible tool if Thompson becomes available on friendlier terms.
The catch is that Thompson is still tied to Dallas on a deal that runs into next season, which makes any path out of the Mavericks complicated. Miamis interest is real enough to keep the conversation alive, but the Heat are waiting on a chain of events that has not broken their way yet, and until it does, the front office is left circling one target while other options sit just out of reach. [Read more 🡒]