Why LeBron James signing with Sixers is gaining momentum

There’s been a lot of speculation about where LeBron James will end up next season. Will he stay in Cleveland, go to LA to join the Lakers, team up with a “Banana Boat” bud somewhere or surprise us all with something new?

Well, one rumor that’s been gaining some momentum lately is James signing with the Sixers. This has been talked about before, but ever since three billboards went up in Cleveland pleading for the former league MVP to head to Philly, there’s been a surprising amount of talk about it becoming a reality.

The latest is a report from Sixers insider Jon Johnson.

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Earlier this week, NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Alaa Abdelnaby said on “Philly Sports Talk” that James was looking at private schools in the area during the All-Star break.

“I’ve told this to a few other people, and I have no problem saying this, my brother lives in the Philadelphia area and he told me that LeBron, last week through a superintendent, was in the area checking out some private schools during the All-Star break,” Abdelnaby said.

On Thursday, however, James denied those rumors saying, “Pennsylvania? Nah. What are you talking about? Over the All-Star break, I was on vacation and then went to Los Angeles.” He later said the report was “disgusting.”

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons, who is not a reporter in the traditional sense but is tied into the NBA world, wrote last month: “NBA insiders have been gossiping about an increasingly cozy Philly–LeBron’s circle connection since November.”

When there was brief speculation earlier this year about James joining the Warriors, the Cavs star shut down the rumors by calling it “nonsense.” But when asked about the billboards recruiting him to the Sixers, he was expressed gratitude.

“It is actually very flattering that I’m sitting here at 33 and in my 15th year and teams or guys — I don’t want to say teams, because that becomes tampering — but people in their respective city want me to play for them,” he said. “That’s cool I think. That’s dope.”

None of this explicitly states James will opt out of his deal and sign with the 76ers, but it has to get fans in Philly excited. The team is loaded with young talent featuring Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and even No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz (if he can recover from whatever is wrong with him).

The Sixers have the cap space to sign James if they make a few moves first. The projected salary cap for next season is $101 million, although that number could change to become larger. Even if it remains, with the luxury tax, the Sixers can easily make this happen.

Here’s a projected look at what their roster could look like, courtesy of Reddit user kingpc:

Of course, we won’t know for sure if James will leave the Cavs until this offseason. He’ll likely opt out of his contract no matter what since that’s what he’s done every year since leaving the Heat in 2014. He does this as a way to get a higher contract under the salary cap each season.

But the kid from Akron may end up deciding to stay in Cleveland, and all these rumors will be for nothing. But as of right now, it appears James is at least keeping his options open, and Philadelphia appears to intrigue him.