Tyrese Maxey really wanted LeBron James in Philadelphia. Like, really wanted him. And according to NBA insider Chris Haynes, that persistence might have been the difference.
Haynes said on NBA TV that Maxey was in constant contact with James throughout free agency. Calling. Texting. Making sure James knew Maxey was available if he had any questions. The kind of recruitment you do when you know your team might not get a second chance at the league’s all-time leading scorer.
“There were about a handful of suitors,” Haynes said. “You had the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors. I was told that Tyrese was relentless in constantly calling and texting LeBron James, making sure if he had any question that he’ll be available to answer. And so that made it easy for LeBron.”
What LeBron saw in Philadelphia
James had options. He could’ve gone back to Miami. He could’ve run it back with Stephen Curry in Golden State. He could’ve joined Anthony Edwards in Minnesota. But he chose the 76ers, and Haynes says it came down to basketball fit.
“As of right now, he felt basketball-wise this gave him the best shot,” Haynes said.
It’s hard to argue with the logic. Philly now has a core that includes James, former MVP Joel Embiid, former Finals MVP Jaylen Brown and a 25-year-old All-Star in Maxey. That’s four guys who can score at an elite level, and at least two of them have proven they can win when it matters most.
The Sixers also brought in some veteran pieces around the edges. The front office, led by Daryl Morey, has a reputation for staying aggressive. James reportedly valued that — knowing the team wouldn’t just sit on its hands after signing him.
The Maxey factor nobody talks about
Maxey’s game is obvious. He averaged over 25 points last season and can get hot from anywhere on the floor. But his role as a recruiter? That’s something you don’t always see from a young star who could’ve felt threatened by a player like James coming in.
Instead, Maxey leaned in. He made James feel wanted. And in a free agency process where LeBron had heard from plenty of teams, having one of his future teammates personally sell him on the vision apparently mattered a lot.
The 76ers haven’t won a title since 1983. That drought has been hanging over the franchise for decades. But now, with a 40-year-old LeBron James heading into his 24th season, they’ve got maybe their best shot since Allen Iverson dragged them to the Finals in 2001.
And it might not have happened if Maxey hadn’t picked up his phone.
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