NBA exec says LeBron considered another team 'very strongly'
When LeBron James signed a four-year deal with the Lakers on the first day of free agent signing period, it didn’t come as much of a shock to most fans. Reports for several weeks had speculated James would be headed to L.A.
But some reports also had James going to Philadelphia. In fact, James’ representatives had a meeting scheduled with 76ers execs on July 1 in Los Angeles.
Despite the fact James ended up choosing the Lakers, Philadelphia brass believed The King “strongly considered” moving to Philly.
For today's meeting, Sixers will meet with LeBron James' reps, sources tell ESPN. James will not attend this meeting. https://t.co/KJGS0xp5Yy
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2018
“I think they considered us very strongly,” Sixers managing partner Josh Harris said of James’ group at a Las Vegas Summer League game Monday, according to ESPN. “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.”
James agreed to a four-year, $153 million deal with the Lakers on July 1. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Sixers had the ability to offer James a similar deal. They were working to entice him by trading for the Spurs Kawhi Leonard, but refused to include young stars Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, or Markelle Fultz in any deal for Leonard.
https://twitter.com/TonyBrunoShow/status/1013785361045229569
James would have had a much better shot at winning his fourth championship with the Sixers than it appears he will with the Lakers, at least as presently constituted. Joining a core of Simmons. Embiid, Fultz and Dario Saric is far superior to the Lakers current roster of unproven young players and veterans who are past their prime.
Not to mention the fact that the Western Conference is stacked with great teams, while the Eastern Conference is more wide open.
Unless they can wrangle Leonard away from San Antonio via trade or make some other blockbuster deal, the Lakers will likely be also-rans in the west next season.
Agent: LeBron James has signed his four-year, $153M deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 10, 2018
Meanwhile, the Sixers, along with the Celtics and Raptors, are considered among the favorites in the Eastern Conference, even without James. As for adding another star to the roster via trade or free agency, Harris said it has to be the right fit.
Coach and interim general manager Brett Brown likes what he’s seen from the 2017 No. 1 pick Fultz, who could be poised for a breakout year.
“I have a gut feel that he feels good about himself and he is confident,” Brown said of Fultz, according to ESPN. “He looks it when I am with him. He feels and looks confident. Then I started seeing the progression of his shot, and I start listening to him tell me about his shot, it confirms that he is feeling good.”
Fultz played only 14 games in his rookie season, averaging 7.1 points per game. He really struggled with his shot, which in part may have been due to a shoulder injury suffered in preseason.
“I feel just so excited to see him play NBA basketball and show why he was the first player chosen in the NBA draft. I have tremendous optimism and confidence that he is going to have a helluva year next year. I believe that completely and just really excited to see him with us and bring him back into our program on a full-time basis,” Brown added.
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