Ohm Youngmisuk
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- Eom Youngmisuk has covered the Giants, Jets and the NFL since 2006. Before that, he covered the Nets, Knicks and the NBA for nearly a decade. He joined ESPNNewYork.com after nearly 12 years at the New York Daily News and is a graduate of Michigan State University.
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Rich Paul said LeBron James’ decision to become a free agent was an “emotional roller coaster every single day” until the superstar decided at 1 a.m. that he was joining the Philadelphia 76ers.
Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports Group, confirmed that James was choosing between Philadelphia, Cleveland, Miami and the Golden State. He explained that James’ decision was agonizing: choosing between joining a new team like the Sixers or Warriors or returning to the Cavaliers or Heat.
“At the end of the season, you can see … the emotional attachments and how hard it is to leave Miami and leave Cleveland,” Paul said on his “Game Over” podcast with Max Kellerman. “Who wouldn’t want to play with Steph Curry and Draymond Green. I experience an emotional rollercoaster every single day.
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“…Home is home (in Cleveland). Miami is Miami. This is Pat (Riley). … I think everyone has led the race at some point.”
Ultimately, Paul said, the Sixers became much more attractive when Philadelphia acquired Jaylen Brown in a trade with the Boston Celtics on July 1. The addition of Brown along with Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid made the Sixers the final pick. James said on X that he made his decision with the chance for a fifth championship in mind.
“Eventually Philly makes a move and then boom! Now you have Jaylen Brown,” Paul said. “Wait, wait a minute. It looks completely different.”
James officially signed with the Sixers on Sunday. The two-year, $8 million deal includes a player option and a full 15% kicker trade, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Paul said James’ close relationship with Maxey, who is also represented by Klutch Sports, was invaluable in convincing the superstar the transition to his new team would go more smoothly than it might have otherwise.
“I think he helps everyone on this team,” Paul said. “When you talk about a secondary playmaker, if (James) is your secondary playmaker, you have the best secondary playmaker in the league. He helps Tyrese in terms of pick-and-rolls. … I think Nick Nurse can take a little page from Ty Lue’s book and use Tyrese as a screen. When you talk about a guy like VJ Edgecombe, it definitely helps him.
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“…When you add LeBron, everything changes. That’s why it’s not easy for someone who is (considered) the star player on the team, when he comes in, he kind of shows you how big or small a star you really are. It takes a special type of person to mentally accept that. Getting to know him and Tyrese, you don’t have to worry about that with Tyrese. They know each other, they hug each other, they’ve been training together for the last five years.” So you won’t have any resistance. You can’t pay for it. You can’t put a price on it.”
Paul said the Minnesota Timberwolves were considered during the process until four teams were selected.
“Minnesota, you always had your eye on this,” Paul said. “Because (Wolves president of basketball operations) Tim Connolly is in it.”
Paul said James went back and forth several times Thursday before making his choice.
“I’m happy for (James),” Paul said. “He made his choice. He’s happy with it.
“I think the city of Philadelphia will embrace it.”