Celtics ‘expressed interest’ in LeBron James in free agency before he joined 76ers

The Celtics will have their hands full this season trying to slow down LeBron James and a stacked Philadelphia 76ers team that also acquired Jaylen Brown from Boston earlier this month.

But, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the Celtics were among many teams interested in signing James this offseason after the NBA legend announced he was leaving the Lakers after eight years in Los Angeles. 

“What started with James’ longtime friend and agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, having conversations with 27 teams, as he told ESPN, and then whittling them to a final five — the 76ers, Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves — ended with the veteran with the ball in his hands looking for the last shot to cap an already Hall of Fame career,” McMenamin wrote.

“There were surprising suitors along the way. The Boston Celtics, James’ consistent nemesis through the years, expressed interest, sources told ESPN. The LA Clippers even discussed a lucrative one-season contract north of $20 million that would allow him to stay at his Brentwood, California, home, sources said. Just as surprising was the Celtics trading Jaylen Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, to a division rival July 6 and the Sixers suddenly grabbing James’ attention.”

It should come as little surprise that the Celtics were among the many teams interested in bringing in a player like James, who, even at 41 years old, still averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game with the Lakers this past year. 

But, the chances of James landing in Boston felt slim, especially given James’ reported sentiment about the Celtics after years of playoff clashes during his time with both the Cavaliers and Heat. 

“I think Boston would rank 30th on his list,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said of James earlier this month on his “Hoops Collective” podcast. “I really, honestly do. He hates Boston.”

James ultimately decided to sign a two-year deal with a player’s option with the Sixers for the veteran’s minimum. The future Hall-of-Famer joined a Philly roster that already boasts Brown, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and VJ Edgecombe. 

In a social media posting announcing his decision to join Philly at this stage of his career, James said that he wanted to prioritize championship contending to close out his legendary career. 

“This is my last decision,” James wrote. “I’m not going for money. I’m not going for family. What am I really playing for at this point? I still want to sacrifice. I still want to work. I still want to grind. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship. 

I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time.”

 

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.