Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2018: One reason LeBron James should sign with every team

By Ben Ladner

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts against the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts against the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – MAY 9: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to the media after the game against the Boston Celtics in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2018 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 9: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers talks to the media after the game against the Boston Celtics in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2018 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia would immediately become the favorites in the East in this situation. Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid are legit stars who are just entering their primes, and the Sixers have the necessary surrounding pieces to round out their rotation on a budget. LeBron would have the lightest workload of his career, allowing him to save energy for the playoffs and high-leverage moments. Shooting limitations and stylistic redundancies could complicate the fit between the three stars, but talent outweighs all, and Philly would be gushing with it if LeBron joined the roster.

That might mean trimming other parts of the roster and would likely signal a departure from at least two of J.J. Redick, Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova, all of whom were central to Philly’s playoff run. But those sacrifices are no-brainers when it means adding LeBron James. Deploying two point-forwards next to Embiid, Dario Saric and Robert Covington would give the 76ers a supersized lineup without sacrificing much mobility or skill. Re-integrate a healthy Markelle Fultz, and Philadelphia would never lack for playmaking.