LeBron should give 76ers some thought
PHILADELPHIA – J.J. Redick is a smart man. He went to Duke, an excellent academic institution.
So when asked about any Ben Simmons-LeBron James comparisons, Redick slipped in this subtle recruiting pitch. “LeBron, I think, is the greatest player to ever play,” he said.
The statement was made for interested ears. In other words, “Hey, LeBron, the Sixers would be a great team for you to join in free agency after this season. Come play with Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, Dario Saric, Robert Covington, Markelle Fultz, Amir Johnson and me, J.J. Redick.”
If James, who can become a free agent after this season, decides to leave the Cavaliers, he could — and should — consider the 76ers, and executives around the league believe Sixers president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo will attempt to sign James.
The Sixers are an intriguing possibility, and if James’ goal remains competing for championships and Cleveland is no longer the place, the Sixers can make a compelling case.
Let’s start with rudimentary salary cap issues. The Sixers are one of a few teams that have significant salary cap space to use in the summer of 2018. They would need to make a few moves to get close to a $34 million max salary for James in year one, but it can be done.
Let’s also point out that James on media day in September said nothing has happened that has changed his stance about finishing his career with the Cavaliers. He also said, “Anytime I’m able to be a free agent or my contract is ending, I’ll approach that when the summer comes.”
But if not Cleveland, why not Philadelphia? As James gets older (he turns 33 on Dec. 30), he will need a younger team filled with all-star-caliber players. The Sixers check those boxes. Simmons is 21, Embiid 23, Saric 23, Fultz 19, Covington 26, and Philadelphia has the second-youngest team and the thirdmost inexperienced roster in the NBA this season.
Embiid should be an All-Star this season, and Simmons is headed in that direction, and while Fultz’s rookie year hasn’t gone as expected, he is the No. 1 overall pick from the June draft.
James has never played with a big man like Embiid before, and both would benefit from each other’s presence, and a James-Simmons combo would present matchup problems for almost every team. James, Covington and Saric can hit threes, and their size and athleticism would give Sixers coach Brett Brown options on defense.
It’s known that James likes veterans, too. That’s an easy solution. The Sixers gave Redick (another solid three-point shooter) a $23 million contract this season for the possibility of him taking a discount next season to play alongside James and for a chance to play in the Finals. Johnson is another solid veteran who fits the model.
Plus, it’s proved that veterans looking to thrive with James and play deep into the playoffs are willing to sign team-friendly deals.
James, Simmons, Embiid, Covington, Redick in the starting lineup with Saric, Fultz, Johnson, T.J. McConnell, Richaun Holmes and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot off the bench.
James and Simmons share the same agent, Klutch Sports’ Rich Paul, and while that doesn’t guarantee anything, Paul can deliver to James insight about the Sixers’ operations.
James is already a fan of Brown, the Sixers coach.
“The organization has done a great job believing in Brett Brown’s system, believing in what he wanted to do, and they gave him time,” James said before the Cavaliers beat the Sixers 113-91 on Monday.
The Los Angeles Lakers are often mentioned as a potential destination for James, who has multiple Hollywood-related entertainment business endeavors and a home in the area. But would his presence on the Lakers, even with the addition of Paul George or DeMarcus Cousins, make them a favorite in the West against Houston or Golden State?
Houston and San Antonio also get mentioned as landing spots for James. Even though Spurs general manager R.C. Buford and Rockets general manager Daryl Morey are known for creative roster construction, the kind of moves necessary for them to sign James would turn salary cap gymnastics into an extreme sport.
James will have options, and if he leaves Cleveland, Philadelphia is a place where he can help revitalize a franchise with history (last title in 1983), a committed fan base and talented young players.