NBA Rumors: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George Or LeBron James For Philadelphia 76ers?
The Philadelphia 76ers are fresh off a 52-win season and could very well represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. While the Sixers have taken the NBA by surprise with their young core, it’s what the future holds that has Sixers’ fans excited and the rest of the NBA worried. As good as Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Dario Saric has been this season, this team could be even better in 2018. Imagine the Sixers with either Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James or Paul George.
Seems outrageous to think this but one of these players could very well be on their way to Philadelphia at the end of the season.
[MarkAds]How Can Kawhi Leonard End Up With The Philadelphia 76ers
With Kawhi Leonard and the San Antonio Spurs going through whatever it is their dealing with, it seems that Leonard wants out. Just last week, there were rumors that Leonard has expressed interest in joining the Los Angeles Lakers next year. Although it’s the Lakers, what this proves is that Leonard has intentions of not staying in San Antonio. But will Leonard be a good fit with this Sixers’ core? A lineup that features Simmons, Embiid and Leonard will give the NBA fits. However, what the Sixers will have to give up may just be too much.
Maybe Gregg Popovich will take one of the Sixers’ first-round picks, Robert Covington and possibly Markelle Fultz for Leonard. If so, then this deal works for all parties. While Covington has been an important piece for the team’s’ turnaround, replacing him with Leonard is a no-brainer. It doesn’t matter if the Sixers end up with the Lakers’ No.1 overall pick this year. Letting go of that plus Fultz well be well worth it. The bigger issue is, will Leonard be willing to stay past 2018? If so, how much will he command on the open market? If Kawhi Leonard decides the grass is greener someplace else, then the Sixers would have thrown away two players plus a high lottery pick for one year of service. Risky move.
How Can Paul George End Up With The Philadelphia 76ers
Paul George is a bit easier than Leonard. Even with rumors circulating that George to the Los Angeles Lakers is all but done after the season is over, George could very well have a change of heart depending on how the Thunder finish their season. If they were to bow out in the first-round to the Utah Jazz, that could leave a bad taste in his mouth about teaming up with Russell Westbrook again.
For this to work in the Sixers’ favor all they will need to do is pony up the cash. Their play this season has already put them on the radar of every free agent in the league. A George, Embiid, Simmons, and Dario Saric lineup will be just as dangerous, if not better than one with Leonard on it. Just for the fact that the Sixers will not have to give up any core players or draft picks to do so. Then you add in the option of either drafting or trading away two 2018 first-round picks, and Paul George could very well say adios to the Thunder and Lakers.
How Can LeBron James End Up With The Philadelphia 76ers
LeBron James seems to be the favorite out of these three to end up with the Sixers. What sets him apart from Kawhi Leonard and Paul George is that LeBron is the true star with his skill set and ability to finish plays has labeled him the “missing piece” for the Sixers. James is a free agent and while he’s been tied to the Lakers, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and Cleveland Cavaliers, the young core of the Sixers has him interested. If the Cavs were to fall to the Indiana Pacers in the first-round this season, it’s almost etched in stone that LeBron will leave.
For this to work, much like for George, all the Sixers have to do is hand out the cash. The team can offer him a two-year deal of maybe $70 million with an option for the second season. Adding LeBron James to this core will make the Sixers one of the early favorites not only in the Eastern Conference but the NBA as a whole.
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Mark has been covering Sports and Entertainment for the past six years. His work has been featured on Bleacher Report, ESPN, Fox Sports, Teen Vogue, and many other websites.
