Rich Paul says the 76ers have LeBron James’ attention, pointing to Philadelphia’s core of Maxey, Brown, Embiid and VJ Edgecombe

Philadelphia’s pursuit of the next level of star power took another step into the open on Friday, when Rich Paul publicly reinforced that the 76ers have caught LeBron James’ attention. On his Game Over podcast with Max Kellerman, Paul confirmed that, after days of speculation about James and potential fits, Philadelphia is among the teams that matter in the decision-making process.

Paul framed the Sixers’ appeal in terms of personnel. According to transcribed comments from the podcast episode, he argued that it is hard not to notice Philadelphia when it has Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid in the same picture. Paul’s point was not about one marquee name alone, but about roster construction that could place LeBron into a functioning lineup framework immediately.

Kellerman, in the exchange, asked directly whether James has the team’s attention, referencing reporting around the situation. Paul’s reply was categorical: “How could you not have the attention” when Philadelphia includes the group he listed. In the same conversation, Paul also emphasized Maxey’s relationship with LeBron, saying he “loves Maxey,” and that Maxey did not need further explanation to make the fit clear.

Paul’s broader discussion of potential destinations included more than the Sixers, but he repeatedly returned to Philadelphia as he worked through the whiteboard-style presentation. In coverage of the episode, Paul unveiled a structured look at where LeBron could slot into different teams’ starting groups, with Philadelphia receiving extensive focus compared with other franchises mentioned.

For the 76ers, the practical significance goes beyond the headline. LeBron James is the kind of player who can change how quickly a roster reaches “final form,” not just through scoring, but through decision-making, spacing demands, and the standards a veteran sets in film room and late-game situations. If James is genuinely evaluating Philadelphia as a serious option, it suggests the Sixers have built a foundation that at least fits the timing and style needs of an aging-but-elite playmaker.

At the same time, it is still an offseason, and Paul’s comments are about attention and fit rather than a commitment. Leaguewide, LeBron’s decision remains the central storyline, and his agent’s willingness to name-team within a podcast format increases the visibility of Philadelphia, but it does not settle the question of whether James actually signs there.

What to watch next is not just whether the Sixers remain in the conversation, but how the team’s management approaches the surrounding roster work if LeBron’s interest is real. In the near term, the Sixers’ most important task is translating star attention into a coherent on-court plan that can hold up against the league’s most organized defensive contenders once the season picture firms up.

For now, Philadelphia has something tangible it did not have a week ago: public confirmation from LeBron’s agent that, in Paul’s view, the 76ers are not merely a rumor. They are one of the destinations where James’ next step could reasonably land, and where his presence would attach to a young-and-stacked core built around Maxey, Brown and Embiid.