Rich Paul on Sixers: ‘How could they not have [LeBron’s] attention?’

We have a whole lot of smoke, friends.

After a couple days of LeBron James speculation and reports, his agent and longtime friend Rich Paul confirmed The King’s interest in potentially joining the Philadelphia 76ers.

Paul, the head of Klutch Sports, has a podcast he does with longtime sports media personality Max Kellerman called Game Over. On Friday morning’s edition, Paul went through all the realistic destinations for each team chasing LeBron and what those franchises bring to the table.

Here’s a

condensed version with all the mentions of the Sixers transcribed. For the full context, watch the video.

Rich Paul: Philadelphia, everything changed.

Max Kellerman: So, they have his attention?

RP: How could you not have his attention when you have [Tyrese] Maxey, [VJ] Edgecombe, [Jaylen] Brown, [Joel] Embiid.

MK: All they really need here is a power forward who can think the game and shoot.

RP: He loves Maxey, so we don’t even have to talk about that. I think [LeBron] helps VJ really understand how to play the game. … Super talented, plays both ends of the floor, plays hard every night. The benefit [VJ] would get, would be ridiculous. Obviously, Jaylen Brown. Embiid is health and habits. If the health and habits of Embiid are there, it’s a really good team.

MK: That by itself doesn’t necessarily work. But if you add the right guy — LeBron James is the one guy who might be able to unlock that and get that to be a team.

RP: He enhances everything. He unlocks everything.

…

RP: Let me give you an X-Factor about the Sixers, though. We forgot something. Jameer Nelson is a part of the front office, ex-player. Mike Gansey … you know Mike Gansey is an Ohio guy? Played against us in high school. There’s a picture floating around that Mike Gansey’s brother put out of Mike Gansey and LeBron that were a part of the high school Ohio All-Americans for the season.

MK: Does LeBron remember guys like Gansey?

RP: Absolutey.

…

RP: Josh Harris and [David Blitzer]. Love those guys.

For what it’s worth, Paul and Kellerman easily spent the most time talking about the Sixers. Paul even went back and referenced them multiple times while talking about other teams. Now, that could just be because they’ve sort of thrown their hat into the ring late and are one of the more talked about teams around the league right now … but it could mean something.

After multiple reports of the Sixers attempting to make a pitch to LeBron, it sure sounds like they’re firmly in the mix.

Stay tuned.