Report: Active 76ers add LeBron James to wish list

Field Level Media|published: Thu 2nd July, 23:22 2026

Feb 19, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Anfernee Simons (22) shoots against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The Philadelphia 76ers, after dealing for former NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown and agreeing to a contract with free agent guard Anfernee Simons, apparently aren't done with their offseason makeover.

The 76ers are attempting to land the NBA's all-time leading scorer, LeBron James, ESPN reported on Thursday.

James is an unrestricted free agent, and he told the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this week that he would play elsewhere next season.

Per the report, the other leading contenders for James' services are two of his former teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, as well as the Golden State Warriors. James will be in no rush to choose his new home, according to ESPN.

On Wednesday, the 76ers agreed to send Paul George, two first-round picks (2028, which could be a swap more favorable to Boston, and an unprotected 2031 pick), and two second-round picks (2028 and 2030) to Boston in exchange for Brown.

The deal can't be officially announced until Monday.

On Thursday, Simons agreed to a two-year, $12.3 million deal with the 76ers.

The 27-year-old guard, who played with Brown in Boston for part of last season, will have a player option in the second season, per ESPN.

Simons joined the Celtics last July in the trade that sent Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers, and he averaged 14.2 points per game while shooting 39.5 percent from 3-point range in 49 games.

Simons was on the move again in February, dealt to the Bulls in exchange for forward Nikola Vucevic, but a left wrist injury limited the guard to just six games with Chicago before ending his season. For the season, Simons averaged 14.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 55 games (five starts).

A first-round pick (No. 24 overall) of the Trail Blazers in the 2018 draft, Simons will give the Sixers' bench an offensive lift it was lacking last season. He has averaged at least 17 ppg four times and is a career 38.5 percent 3-point shooter.

Over eight NBA seasons, Simons has averaged 14.9 points, 3.2 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 444 games (218 starts).

--Field Level Media

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