Report: 76ers expected to try to recruit LeBron in free agency

Every team in the league will come calling if LeBron James decides to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers next summer, and the Philadelphia 76ers are no exception.

League executives told Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today that they expect Sixers general manager Bryan Colangelo to make an attempt at recruiting James if the superstar decides to take meetings next summer.

Philadelphia only has $67.4 million in committed salaries for next season, which leaves enough room to sign James to a maximum contract and add another reputable free agent next summer. They would have to renounce some free agents to carve out this room, but letting go of J.J. Redick, Amir Johnson, and Jahlil Okafor is a small price to pay if James wants to sign.

The Sixers also boast a boatload of blue-chip prospects who are under team control. Joel Embiid and Robert Covington are locked into long-term pacts, No. 1 picks Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz remain on their inexpensive rookie-scale contracts, and the Sixers still boast a surplus of picks to deal.

Philadelphia's situation would hold much of the same appeal that Cleveland did in 2014 when James wrapped up his tenure with the Miami Heat - without the homecoming angle, but with the same bounty of draft picks and young, game-changing talent.

Signing with Philly would also allow James to remain in the less competitive Eastern Conference, a benefit the Los Angeles Lakers can't offer.