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Do the Philadelphia 76ers really have a shot?
Following the announcement he wouldn't re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, NBA legend LeBron James has made it clear to teams that he would consider signing with a franchise that best fit his needs.
What those are aren't exactly clear, but the Sixers are reportedly one of the teams in the mix for James' services for the upcoming 2026-2027 NBA season — and possibly beyond.
See where the Sixers currently stand among James' suitors.
As of July 22, the Sixers ranked among the top possible teams to sign the all-time NBA leading scorer, according to prediction market Kalshi.
Here's where they rank as of 8:30 p.m. ET July 22:
Here's the breakdown of James' current odds of signing, according to market prediction site Polymarket:
The Miami Heat accidentally posted a scheduled YouTube livestream titled “LeBronJames Introductory Press Conference” for July 27, a team spokesperson told ESPN's Shams Charania.
The link was mistakenly published while preparing for a possible James signing. It has since been deleted.
While most believe James will return to his hometown Cleveland to close out his career, there's a chance a he turns down a third reunion with the Cavs and signs elsewhere.
Recently, James' agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports discussed a number of teams his client was considering on his “Game Over” podcast with Max Kellerman.
On a white board, Paul and Kellerman went through the pros of James signing with each team and their starting rosters. The list included:
According to a report by Charania, those teams seemed to have been cut down to the Cavaliers, Heat and 76ers.
Charania said executives for interested teams have been sending voice notes to Paul, who passed them along to James.
“There's a focus on Cleveland, Miami and Philadelphia," Charania said in a July 14 report. " ... This could be any day, any week, now," but that James was getting closer to a decision.
According to Kalshi, here's when James is expected to sign with a new team:
While appearing with 97.5 The Fanantic in Philadelphia last week, ESPN's Dave McMenamin said it was likely that James would make his decision this week.
"A source familiar with LeBron really believes LeBron is nearing the decision ... People around the league are hoping that it comes next week," McMenamin said.
"... I would say there is a pretty decent chance we find out next week. I do believe, strongly, that the Sixers are a legitimate option for him still. I was told, as of last night, he still hasn't made his final decision."
A report the same day by Charania said he spoke with Paul the morning of July 20 and that there's no decision by James and no timetable on a decision. Charania said his understanding is focus remains on Miami, Cleveland, Philadelphia.
However, Paul said on his “Game Over” podcast on July 20 that there is no timetable for James to sign with a new team.
“We’re not going to be rushed,” Paul said.
Speculation that the Heat are now the frontrunners for James' services after Miami jumped ahead of Cleveland in the prediction markets over the weekend.
During a July 16 report, Charania said James' decision was expected soon.
"I think this process is getting closer and closer to the end here," Charania said. "LeBron James has all the information that he needs."
Reports were speculating that James would announce his signing during Fanatics Fest, which was held last week in the Javits Center in New York.
But during events on July 16 and 17, James declined to say if had made a free-agent decision yet.
"I won't hold you guys up too much longer," James said.
During his Fanatics appearance, James even said the phrase "trust the process," which Sixers fans were quick to connect to the Sixers' longtime rebuilding era with Embiid.
Another report over the weekend stated that Sixers owner Josh Harris also spoke to James briefly during Fanatics Fest.
Bob Cooney of On Pattison said on July 20 that he has a strong feeling that James will sign with Philadelphia.
"I am getting a strong feeling he is coming here. I really am," Cooney said. "Why is a 42-year-old man going out there and throwing out 'Trust the Process' and '76 Years,' and all these things that are little hints?
"… Why would you go around teasing stuff like that? … Why are insiders hinting at it now? … Over the last couple of days, I started thinking, you know what, he is putting it out there. I think he might be coming to the Sixers. A couple of weeks ago, you asked me for a percentage, and I said 15-20%. I am upping that now; I think it is 50-50 at least."
During his appearance on 97.5 The Fanantic in Philadelphia, McMenamin said it's top Sixers players Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and newly acquired forward Jaylen Brown who are currently in contact with James. and not Philly brass such as Bob Meyers, Mike Gansey and Nick Nurse.
"I want to say the people that I've spoken to told me about (Joel) Embiid's interaction, it's been mostly through text messaging, which is an obvious way to communicate in 2026," McMenamin said. "As far as my understanding, it's really been (Tyrese) Maxey as the primary spearhead in terms of keeping that communication and dialogue going. Maxey knows LeBron the best out of those three players
"… I've covered a bunch of teams, and it's not very often where you get all three, if you do have three stars, on the same page moving in the same direction," he said. "It's significant that, from the top down, Bob Myers, Nick Nurse, Mike Gansey, and the three best players on the team are all together on this, saying, 'LeBron, we want you, we need you, and we can do great things if you come here.'"
If James were to sign with Philadelphia, the Sixers would potentially have one of the most talented starting lineups in the NBA. Here's what it might look it:
Sixers potential starting lineup
Sixers bench
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Where is LeBron James playing next year? LeBron James next team odds
Continue reading...
Following the announcement he wouldn't re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, NBA legend LeBron James has made it clear to teams that he would consider signing with a franchise that best fit his needs.
What those are aren't exactly clear, but the Sixers are reportedly one of the teams in the mix for James' services for the upcoming 2026-2027 NBA season — and possibly beyond.
See where the Sixers currently stand among James' suitors.
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Lebron James' next team odds
LeBron James next team Kalshi
As of July 22, the Sixers ranked among the top possible teams to sign the all-time NBA leading scorer, according to prediction market Kalshi.
Here's where they rank as of 8:30 p.m. ET July 22:
- Miami Heat 42% (up 7%)
- Cleveland Cavaliers 28%
- Golden State Warriors 14%
- Philadelphia 76ers 7% (down 6%)
- Minnesota Timberwolves 2%
LeBron James next team Polymarket
Here's the breakdown of James' current odds of signing, according to market prediction site Polymarket:
- Miami Heat 51% (up 7%)
- Cleveland Cavaliers 26% (down 14%)
- Golden State Warriors 13% (down 13%)
- Philadelphia 76ers 9% (up 7%)
- Minnesota Timberwolves 1%
LeBron James heat YouTube error
The Miami Heat accidentally posted a scheduled YouTube livestream titled “LeBronJames Introductory Press Conference” for July 27, a team spokesperson told ESPN's Shams Charania.
The link was mistakenly published while preparing for a possible James signing. It has since been deleted.
Where is LeBron James going to play next year?
While most believe James will return to his hometown Cleveland to close out his career, there's a chance a he turns down a third reunion with the Cavs and signs elsewhere.
Recently, James' agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports discussed a number of teams his client was considering on his “Game Over” podcast with Max Kellerman.
On a white board, Paul and Kellerman went through the pros of James signing with each team and their starting rosters. The list included:
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Miami Heat
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Denver Nuggets
- Golden State Warriors
- San Antonio Spurs
- New Yew Knicks
- Dallas Mavericks
- Boston Celtics
According to a report by Charania, those teams seemed to have been cut down to the Cavaliers, Heat and 76ers.
Charania said executives for interested teams have been sending voice notes to Paul, who passed them along to James.
“There's a focus on Cleveland, Miami and Philadelphia," Charania said in a July 14 report. " ... This could be any day, any week, now," but that James was getting closer to a decision.
When will LeBron make his decision?
According to Kalshi, here's when James is expected to sign with a new team:
- Before July 23: 45%
- Before July 24: 57%
- Before July 25: 64%
- Before July 26: 77%
- Before July 27: 72%
- Before July 28: 78%
- Before July 29: 88%
- Before July 31: 88%
- Before Aug. 2: 90%
- Before Aug. 9: 95%
- Before Aug. 16: 95%
- Before Aug. 23: 98%
- Before Aug. 30: 99%
When is LeBron making his decision?
While appearing with 97.5 The Fanantic in Philadelphia last week, ESPN's Dave McMenamin said it was likely that James would make his decision this week.
"A source familiar with LeBron really believes LeBron is nearing the decision ... People around the league are hoping that it comes next week," McMenamin said.
"... I would say there is a pretty decent chance we find out next week. I do believe, strongly, that the Sixers are a legitimate option for him still. I was told, as of last night, he still hasn't made his final decision."
A report the same day by Charania said he spoke with Paul the morning of July 20 and that there's no decision by James and no timetable on a decision. Charania said his understanding is focus remains on Miami, Cleveland, Philadelphia.
However, Paul said on his “Game Over” podcast on July 20 that there is no timetable for James to sign with a new team.
“We’re not going to be rushed,” Paul said.
Miami Heat LeBron James rumors
Speculation that the Heat are now the frontrunners for James' services after Miami jumped ahead of Cleveland in the prediction markets over the weekend.
During a July 16 report, Charania said James' decision was expected soon.
"I think this process is getting closer and closer to the end here," Charania said. "LeBron James has all the information that he needs."
LeBron James response at Fanatics Fest
Reports were speculating that James would announce his signing during Fanatics Fest, which was held last week in the Javits Center in New York.
But during events on July 16 and 17, James declined to say if had made a free-agent decision yet.
"I won't hold you guys up too much longer," James said.
During his Fanatics appearance, James even said the phrase "trust the process," which Sixers fans were quick to connect to the Sixers' longtime rebuilding era with Embiid.
Another report over the weekend stated that Sixers owner Josh Harris also spoke to James briefly during Fanatics Fest.
LeBron James Sixers match?
Bob Cooney of On Pattison said on July 20 that he has a strong feeling that James will sign with Philadelphia.
"I am getting a strong feeling he is coming here. I really am," Cooney said. "Why is a 42-year-old man going out there and throwing out 'Trust the Process' and '76 Years,' and all these things that are little hints?
"… Why would you go around teasing stuff like that? … Why are insiders hinting at it now? … Over the last couple of days, I started thinking, you know what, he is putting it out there. I think he might be coming to the Sixers. A couple of weeks ago, you asked me for a percentage, and I said 15-20%. I am upping that now; I think it is 50-50 at least."
During his appearance on 97.5 The Fanantic in Philadelphia, McMenamin said it's top Sixers players Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and newly acquired forward Jaylen Brown who are currently in contact with James. and not Philly brass such as Bob Meyers, Mike Gansey and Nick Nurse.
"I want to say the people that I've spoken to told me about (Joel) Embiid's interaction, it's been mostly through text messaging, which is an obvious way to communicate in 2026," McMenamin said. "As far as my understanding, it's really been (Tyrese) Maxey as the primary spearhead in terms of keeping that communication and dialogue going. Maxey knows LeBron the best out of those three players
"… I've covered a bunch of teams, and it's not very often where you get all three, if you do have three stars, on the same page moving in the same direction," he said. "It's significant that, from the top down, Bob Myers, Nick Nurse, Mike Gansey, and the three best players on the team are all together on this, saying, 'LeBron, we want you, we need you, and we can do great things if you come here.'"
Potential Sixers starting lineup with LeBron James
If James were to sign with Philadelphia, the Sixers would potentially have one of the most talented starting lineups in the NBA. Here's what it might look it:
Sixers potential starting lineup
- Joel Embiid, C
- LeBron James, PF
- Jaylon Brown, SF
- V.J. Edgecombe, G
- Tyrese Maxey, G
Sixers bench
- Labaron Philon Jr., G
- Anfernee Simons, G
- Dean Wade, F
- Justin Edwards, F
- Dominick Barlow, F
- Adem Bona, C
- Ariel Hukporti, C
- Jabari Walker, F
- Dalen Terry, G
- Johni Broome, F
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Where is LeBron James playing next year? LeBron James next team odds
Continue reading...
