With LeBron James having the option to be a free agent this summer, certain teams have already started trying to court the best player in the world.
One of the few teams that can both afford James and is an appealing option to him is the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Sixers have the young talent in Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons that could lure the Ohio native away from his hometown team.
The King and the Cavs played the Sixers Thursday night.
Philadelphia escaped Cleveland with a 108-97 victory over the three-time reigning Eastern Conference champions. The Sixers’ young stars showed flashes of potential greatness while maintaining their composure even when Cleveland made runs. The revamped Cavs’ team trailed the whole game, but James played spectacularly, finishing with 30 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists.
Tempers flared at the end of the game, when the Sixers’ Dario Saric dunked with only seconds remaining in a game already decided. The Cavs’ Jordan Clarkson was not pleased with the play. He grabbed the ball as it fell through the hoop and threw it at Saric. Clarkson was immediately ejected, and Embiid and James got into each other’s face next.
But minutes later, they hugged it out once the game concluded. Then, both took to social media to celebrate the other.
Trust The Process??? Always a great time playing against one of the best to ever play the game #summer2018goals pic.twitter.com/4bY941yyRO
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) March 2, 2018
Embiid’s tweet with the caption “#summer2018goals” is a clear reference to his desire to recruit James to his team.
Earlier this week, three billboards were put up urging James to sign in Philadelphia.
A Cleveland company responded by putting up its own signs reminding the City of Brotherly Love where James currently plays and grew up.
A Philadelphia-based company put up three billboards on highway to downtown Cleveland this morning saying that city wanted LeBron. Here they are in order. pic.twitter.com/vntsa8h3mE
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 26, 2018
Also earlier this week, the team’s color analyst Alaa Abdelnaby said on Philly Sports Talk, “My brother lives in the Philadelphia area and he told me that LeBron, last week through a superintendent, was in the area checking out some private schools during the All-Star break.”
When asked about the rumor, James denied it.
While all the hoopla is fun, everyone knows James is re-signing with Cleveland.