The Philadelphia 76ers' star players are heavily involved the team's pursuit of LeBron James, league sources told ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and the newly acquired Jaylen Brown have all been in communication with James, reports McMenamin. Maxey, who has trained with James the past several offseasons, is reportedly leading the charge.
James and Embiid won a gold medal together with Team USA at the 2024 Olympics. The former also notably endorsed Brown for league MVP in February.
In addition, 76ers executive Bob Myers recently attempted to sell James on Philadelphia during an appearance on the "Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul" podcast, saying that he believes his club offers the four-time champion the best chance to win. The Sixers have made the playoffs in eight of the last nine years but haven't advanced past the second round since making the NBA Finals in 2001.
In picking his next destination, James is focusing on Philadelphia and two of his former teams: the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
The 41-year-old announced in June that he won't return to the Los Angeles Lakers next season after eight years with the franchise. The Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Denver Nuggets are among the other teams that have been linked to the NBA's all-time points leader this offseason.
James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists in 60 games last season. L.A. was swept in the second round of the playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
