The 76ers are about to give their pitch to bring LeBron James on board.
A team contingent led by co-managing owners Josh Harris and Davis Blitzer is scheduled to meet with the free agent's representative Sunday in Los Angeles, sources confirm. ESPN was first to report the news.
The Sixers front-office personnel Ned Cohen, Marc Eversley and Elton Brand were at the team's practice facility in Camden for the morning summer-league team practice.
Free agency began at 12:01 a.m. Sunday. But players cannot sign contracts and teams may not comment until 12 p.m. on Friday.
Sources have said that this is not an obligatory meeting with James' representatives. The free agent is really interested in playing for the Sixers, according to the source. The forward would welcome playing alongside All-Star center Joel Embiid and point guard Ben Simmons, the rookie of the year. He's also impressed with coach Brett Brown and the Sixers' state-of-the-art facility. And by coming to Philly, James believes he would have a great chance to play in his ninth consecutive NBA Finals.
Sources said the Sixers are not out of James' free agency hunt. Now, things could change if the Los Angeles Lakers are able to trade for San Antonio Spurs two-time All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard.
Under that scenario, James would probably like to play alongside Leonard. However, sources have said the Sixers are still in the hunt for trading for Leonard, as well.
Right now, the Spurs keep trying to up the price for what it will take to get the two-time defensive player of the year, saying that another team is offering more.
However, Embiid and Simmons are untouchable in any trade. ESPN is reporting that Markelle Fultz is another an untouchable. As a result, the Sixers' most-realistic enticing package could involve Dario Saric, Robert Covington and the Miami Heat's 2021 unprotected first-round pick.
The Sixers contingent thinks their legitimate chance of trading for Leonard is a great selling point for James.
A team led by James, Leonard, Embiid and Simmons would supplant the Boston Celtics as favorites to win the Eastern Conference.
In regards to Leonard's contract, the Sixers believe that he'll seriously consider picking up his player option or re-signing with them via free agency next summer.
The Sixers' pursuit of James has been well-documented.
The 14-time All-Star would be great free-agent addition. He's regarded as the best player in the world and is on top of every team's free-agency wish list.
The three-time NBA champion will instantly become the unquestioned team leader. He and Simmons are both represented by agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports. James is also Simmons' mentor. As a result, the two shouldn't have a problem playing together for a couple of seasons.
James is also considering signing with the Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers. He became an unrestricted free agent by not exercising his $35.6 million option with Cleveland for the 2018-19 season.
James will not meet in person with the Cavs in free agency. Paul was available will discuss all of his business over the phone with the team.
He averaged 27.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 9.1 assists and 1.4 steals and shot 54.2 percent from the field this past season. James finished second to Houston Rockets guard James Harden in the MVP voting.
The 15-year veteran has career averages of 27.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists.
Paul George, another Sixers target, has agreed to a four-year, $137 million deal to re-sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Meanwhile, former Sixers Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova will sign with different teams.
Belinelli agreed to two-year, $12 million deal to return to the Spurs. He played three seasons in San Antonio, 2013-14 to 2015-16. The Italian player was a member of the Spurs 2014 NBA championship team.
Ilyasova will sign a three-year, $21 million contract to return to the Milwaukee Bucks. The 31-year-old played his first seven seasons with the Bucks. His wife and children still live in Milwaukee.
