News

Sixers Claim LeBron James ‘Strongly’ Considered Signing With Team Before Choosing Lakers

Philadelphia 76ers executives have claimed LeBron James “strongly” mulled signing with the team before ultimately picking the Los Angeles Lakers as his next destination.

LeBron James Considered Joining 76ers, Team Says

Sixers coach and interim general manager Brett Brown and managing partner Josh Harris revealed how the team’s encounter with Rich Paul, James’ agent, went.

“I think they considered us very strongly,” Harris stated of James’ team at the Las Vegas Summer League on Monday. “I think he — I would be speculating on how he makes his decisions, and I don’t want to do that — but I think that they were really serious [about Philadelphia]. The fact that they took the meeting with us was something that they didn’t view lightly, so I think that they were very serious about it.”

SLIDESHOW: 30 Best Sports Instagrams! 

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

James, 33, signed a four-year deal with the Lakers on July 1, the first day of NBA free agency. The former Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat star forward had said family considerations would be a key factor in his decision on which team to play next. James has two homes in Los Angeles, according to ESPN. The Lakers also recently acquired Lance Stephenson and Rajon Rondo. James will join a squad filled with young stars who have potential, like Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram.

The Sixers, meanwhile, have reached deals to reunite with J.J. Reddick and Amir Johnson in free agency, according to ESPN. The team is also looking to bring on Wilson Chandler, and Philadelphia has been rumored to sign former San Antonio Spurs star Kawhi Leonard as well via a possible trade.

SLIDESHOW: Sports Figures Who Died In 2018

Philadelphia currently boats talented youngsters like Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and Markelle Fultz. The 76ers also continue to look for a new GM to succeed Bryan Colangelo, who resigned last month following an investigation into his alleged ties to multiple unauthorized Twitter accounts that said damaging things about some of Philadelphia’s players and that violated NBA rules.

The 76ers finished this past season 52-30 and third in the Eastern Conference. They reached the second round of the playoffs before losing 4-1 to the Boston Celtics.

 

Pablo Mena

Writer and assistant editor for usports.org. NY Giants and Rangers fan. Film and TV enthusiast (especially Harry Potter and The Office) and lover of foreign languages and cultures.

Recent Posts

Paul George Exits With Knee Injury As 76ers Fall To 2-12 In Loss To Grizzlies

With their big three finally back in action Wednesday, the Philadelphia 76ers suffered another setback…

10 hours ago

VIDEO: Nike Pays Tribute to Rafael Nadal With 30-Foot Projection In Front of Eiffel Tower

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tny--EWynOQ Nike paid tribute to Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal with a 10-meter-tall animated display…

1 day ago

VIDEO: Rafael Nadal Gets Emotional Tribute as He Retires From Tennis

https://youtu.be/dtJoJz9hC48 Tennis legend Rafael Nadal bid a heartfelt goodbye to his devoted Spanish fans as he brought…

1 day ago

VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Olympic Fencer Eli Dershwitz Explains The Art Of Fencing

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DQ9Rxhnuer4 U.S. Olympic fencer Eli Dershwitz shed light on the critical skills necessary in fencing…

2 days ago

Two Bears Offensive Linemen Return To Practice, Caleb Williams Desperate For Blocking

Two offensive linemen for the Chicago Bears returned to practice, a massive step in the…

3 days ago

VIDEO: UFC Heavyweight Champion Performs Viral Trump Dance In New York

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/s2g9t_33Myw President-elect Donald Trump received a warm welcome from Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter Jon…

4 days ago