The Philadelphia Sixers may have given themselves a real edge in the LeBron James sweepstakes, and not just because of the Jaylen Brown trade.
Brian Windhorst added fresh fuel to the rumor mill on ESPN Cleveland, saying, "I'm hearing stuff in other cities too. I'm not gonna say who but I had somebody on the phone with me today that I consider a good source who was swearing it's a done deal in another city," - @WindhorstESPN on the latest LeBron rumors 😯😯😯 pic.twitter.com/4uHgOsAC86
That matters for Philadelphia because ESPN's Shams Charania had already reported earlier this week that Cleveland, Miami, and Philadelphia were the teams in the lead for James. For the Sixers, that alone was a major development. LeBron has deeper ties to the Cavaliers and Heat, but Philadelphia was still right there with them.
Bob Myers also made the case for the Sixers recently on the "Game Over" podcast with Paul and Max Kellerman, saying that if LeBron were in Philadelphia, he would tell him it gives him the best chance to win. Even outside the fan base, the appeal is easy to see.
The Cleveland angle still looked like the biggest obstacle. James recently took a special 10th anniversary trip with members of the Cavaliers' 2016 title team and spent time in Northeast Ohio this summer, which made it feel like the Cavs were the team to beat.
But Windhorst's comments open the door to a different read. If what he heard is accurate - and he was careful to note it might not be - then James could already have a deal lined up with Philadelphia. At the very least, it suggests this may not be a simple Cleveland-or-bust situation, which would only help the Sixers.
And Philadelphia already made the kind of move that changes the conversation. The team turned Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks into Jaylen Brown, a deal that still feels wild on its own. It was a massive offseason swing, and if it ends up helping land LeBron too, it becomes even bigger.
That would fit with what Paul has said about James' priorities. At this stage, it is less about money and more about happiness, and Philadelphia could offer both a fresh start and a real shot at another title.
The idea of LeBron sharing the floor next season with Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, and Joel Embiid is the kind of scenario that would instantly push the Sixers into the league's top tier.
In Other News...
76ers LeBron Pursuit Just Took A Turn Fans Never Saw Coming
The LeBron James sweepstakes has already taken on an unusual feel, and now Philadelphias side of it has pushed into territory that is hard to compare with a normal free-agency chase. Bob Myers, president of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, reportedly used a podcast appearance to make a public case for the 76ers as a landing spot, a move that underscores just how aggressively the team is trying to stay in the conversation.
James is handling the process exclusively through Rich Paul, which only adds to the strangeness of a bidding war that is believed to involve Philadelphia, Cleveland and Miami. For the 76ers, the message is clear: they are willing to be creative, even unprecedented, if it gives them a chance to stand out in a race that has no real blueprint. [Read more 🡒]
Joel Embiid Just Changed Everything For The 76ers This Summer
Joel Embiids offseason looks different this year, and for the 76ers that alone changes the tone around everything they are trying to build. Bob Myers, president of the teams ownership group, said Embiid is healthy this summer, a notable shift from recent years when the big man was spending those months rehabbing instead of preparing for the next run. Given how dominant Embiid was when he was on the floor last season, even with some missed games, Philadelphia has every reason to treat this as a major development.
The bigger picture is just as important. The Sixers have already made several roster moves and are trying to position themselves as title contenders for the 2026-27 campaign, but that plan only really works if Embiid gets a full offseason to work on his game and build toward the fall. For a team that has spent so much time managing uncertainty, a healthy summer for its centerpiece is the kind of change that can reshape expectations before training camp even opens. [Read more 🡒]
Joel Embiid Just Got The Chance 76ers Fans Have Waited For
The 76ers finally made the kind of swing that changes the conversation around Joel Embiid, landing Finals MVP Jaylen Brown in a move that instantly jolted the franchises outlook. For a team that has spent years trying to build a true title-level core around Embiid, Browns arrival gives Philadelphia a new kind of perimeter force and a much cleaner path into the top tier of the East.
Embiid has not spoken publicly about the trade, but the buzz around the team is that he is enthusiastic about the addition and already looking ahead to the coming season. Health will still shape how far this group can go, and the front office may not be done yet, with the possibility of another major move hanging over the roster as the 76ers try to turn a big summer into something even bigger. [Read more 🡒]