The team\u2019s ownership, front office, and Klutch Sports client Tyrese Maxey<\/a> all received a short, four-word text message from Rich Paul, Klutch CEO and James\u2019 agent.<\/p>\n \u201cCongrats,\u201d the text said. \u201cSixers it is.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t have time to text everybody,\u201d Paul said on the Game Over podcast. \u201cI had to put them all in a group chat.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00bb READ MORE: With LeBron James joining the Sixers, NBC Sports Philadelphia looks to staff up<\/a><\/p>\n Maxey, who occasionally works out with James during the summer and is one of Klutch Sports\u2019 key clients, played a big role in the decision. During an earlier podcast episode where Paul broke down potential destinations for James, he put a star next to Maxey\u2019s name.<\/p>\n \u201cMaxey led the charge, on the Sixers,\u201d Paul said. \u201cHe was starred on there, because, number one, the Sixers went through a change. It became Tyrese Maxey\u2019s team. It\u2019s still Tyrese Maxey\u2019s team.<\/p>\n \u201cAdditionally, there was a star beside Tyrese\u2019s name because, the fact that I represent Tyrese, I\u2019ve been around him for seven years now, we talk all the time. LeBron has spent time with him, I know that that\u2019s a positive based on the type of person.\u201d<\/p>\n When assessing potential landing spots, James and Paul broke down numerous teams, and tried to identify what the potential issues could be with each spot. Maxey\u2019s demeanor ultimately helped the Sixers earn much more consideration. <\/p>\n Paul said that Anthony Davis, who played with James on the Lakers, was an example of the type of personality that meshes well with James. Davis was unconcerned about taking the spotlight, and stayed focused on his family and on basketball. <\/p>\n \u201cSame thing with Tyrese, I know that it\u2019s a positive because he\u2019s been around, they work out together,\u201d Paul said. \u201cHe\u2019s embracing the fact that, \u2018Hey, if we can land this guy, I understand what comes with it, and I\u2019m comfortable in my own skin and by the way, I want to win. I want the best chance of winning.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n James met with Cleveland brass in Akron over the summer before signing, ESPN insider Shams Charania said. While many outside perceived Cleveland to be the favorite going in \u2014 so much so that Sixers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey<\/a> told ESPN that his neighbors got mad at him for \u201ctaking\u201d James \u2014 Paul said far more teams were under consideration than he discussed publicly.<\/p>\n \u201cWe never really heard from the Sixers, because the Sixers never really thought there was even a chance,\u201d Paul said. Once Jaylen Brown<\/a> was traded to Philadelphia, his conversations with James about the Sixers took a total 180.<\/p>\n
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