We’ve heard all sorts of rumors and speculation. But where do LeBron James’ peers believe he’ll play next season?
CJ McCollum offered his two cents Tuesday during the premiere episode of his “Pull Up with CJ McCollum” podcast. The Portland Trail Blazers guard was asked if there’s an actual chance James joins the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency this summer, and his answer, in short, was “yes.”
“He’s always (been) calculated about his decision-making process going back to his youth,” McCollum said of James, as transcribed by Slam Online. “Ben (Simmons) is his young guy. Ben is a member of Klutch Sports, so that also could play a factor.
“Philly is in the Eastern Conference. LeBron has been fond of the Eastern Conference throughout his career on what seems to be his EZ-Pass to the Finals.
“I think it’s a bigger possibility than people think.”
James, who can opt out of his Cleveland Cavaliers contract this summer, has been tight-lipped about his future, even denying a report he visited Philly-area private schools during the NBA All-Star break. But the Sixers appear to be very much in the running for his services: The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor recently reported Philly was one of the four teams on James’ free agency list.
Wary of generating too much hype, McCollum did note the obstacles on LeBron’s potential path to Philly.
“I’m not sure if they have the space financially (to sign James),” McCollum said. “Obviously, they have a lot of guys on rookie deals right now. But they would need to get some more shooters in there if they do want to bring ‘Bron in.”
Another obstacle actually could be Simmons, who has drawn comparisons to James as an athletically gifted “point forward” who can thrive as the team’s primary ball-handler. Would there be room for two players with such similar skill sets to coexist — especially with Markelle Fultz also in the fold as a ball-handling option?
We’ll find out soon enough.
