Report: 76ers Interested In Paul George, LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, Brandon Ingram

According to NBA reporter Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia 76ers are interested in Paul George, LeBron James, Jimmy Butler and Brandon Ingram. 

George and LeBron can become unrestricted free agents this offseason by declining their 2024-25 player options, while Butler and Ingram are under contract for next season. 

“The Sixers want a maximum-salary player via free agency or a trade from a pool that includes Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler, and New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram,” Pompey wrote. “The Sixers could deal their draft picks in trades to acquire veteran role players with smaller contracts. They’ll also look to sign several of their free agents, only to realize bringing them back is not a reality.”

The Sixers lost to the New York Knicks in the first round of this year’s playoffs in six games. The franchise hasn’t advanced past the second round of the postseason in the Joel Embiid era, which began in 2014-15. 

George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.5 blocks for the Clippers this season while shooting 47.1% from the field, 41.3% from beyond the arc and 90.7% from the free-throw line. LAC has until June 30 to sign George to an extension.

LeBron averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.5 blocks for the Lakers while shooting 54.0% from the field, 41.0% from beyond the arc and 75.0% from the free-throw line. He’s the oldest player in the NBA. 

Butler, who is extension-eligible this offseason, averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.3 blocks in 60 games for the Heat while shooting 49.9% from the field, 41.4% from beyond the arc and 85.8% from the free-throw line. He played 55 games for the Sixers in 2018-19. 

Ingram averaged 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks for the Pelicans while shooting 49.2% from the field, 35.5% from beyond the arc and 80.1% from the free-throw line. He has one year left on his contract. 

Philadelphia is projected to have around $60 million in cap space this offseason.