The Cleveland Cavaliers are beginning to look like the frontrunners to land LeBron James.
The Philadelphia 76ers continue to get discouraging updates on the LeBron James free agency sweepstakes.
It began just the other day when it was reported by The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski that the Minnesota Timberwolves are ramping up their pursuit of James. Then, insider Marc Stein shared that the Cleveland Cavaliers are "looking more and more like the scenario to beat."
Now, ESPN's Brian Windhorst is reporting that he spoke with people in Philadelphia who are not optimistic about their chances of signing the 22-time All-Star.
"Philly, as soon as they got the Jaylen [Brown] deal done, they immediately reached out," Windhorst said on Pardon My Take. "They're going for it, they made their pitch, they reached out, they did it. I’ve talked to people in Philly, and I’m like, 'What do you think?' And they're like, 'We’re afraid it’s Cleveland.' Everybody I talked to is like, 'We're afraid it’s Cleveland.' Nobody seems like they have optimism."
Cleveland is beginning to appear more and more as the favorite to land James. It makes total sense given his countless ties to the city and organization. The only advantage the 76ers hold over the Cavaliers is that he'd likely be a superior fit with the former.
With the Cavaliers, James will play alongside two ball-dominant guards in Donovan Mitchell and James Harden while the frontcourt is led by two defensive-minded big men in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
James' skill set has the ability to mesh in virtually any situation, but the fit with the 76ers is more seamless.
Alongside Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, Brown, and Joel Embiid, James' playmaking could be on full display while having little to no pressure to score or defend at a high level.
Finishing his illustrious career with the Cavaliers is the 'storybook ending,' so it's hard to blame James if that's the route he takes.
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