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         The NBA offseason has proved that the league never sleeps.  Across the league, there were blockbuster trades, crazy free-agent signings, and one of the most loaded draft classes in recent decades that give hope to a franchise that has not been great over the years. This offseason has made many teams contenders, like the Miami Heat, and this will go down as one of the most anticipated seasons ever. One team that emerged as heavy title favorites was the Philadelphia 76ers.

                  Last year was a disappointment to all Sixers fans, with an underwhelming season. Joel Embiid did not stay healthy, and the Sixers GM, Daryl Morey, was losing his focus. At the trade deadline, he traded Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a first-round pick, which drew tons of criticism online. This was the last straw that broke the camel’s back, leading to the firing of Daryl Morey. They decided to hire Mike Gansey, a trusted GM, whom they hope can lead them to a final. He got to work immediately, as his main goal was to dump Paul George’s horrific contract. At 36, Paul was taking drugs, and he got paid a lot of money without much result. Mike Gansey was able to trade him, along with 2 first-round picks, to the Boston Celtics for MVP candidate Jaylen Brown. Many experts called this a fleece and said it would automatically make the Sixers a title contender with talented players like Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Joel Embiid on the team.

                  The Jaylen Brown trade would have been enough to make this the biggest offseason in franchise history. Then LeBron James, the undisputed GOAT of basketball, chose Philadelphia. This process was not easy, as the Sixers had to recruit for weeks, hoping they could get him, as he was considering other teams like Miami and Cleveland. Philadelphia offered the best shot at winning a title before LeBron decided to retire, but choosing a team like Miami or Cleveland would make more sense for him because he has a history of playing for those teams.  LeBron and Tyrese Maxey have had an amazing relationship, and LeBron has praised him for his work ethic and game. LeBron also had a relationship with Mike Gansey in high school. Also, what helped him decide that he would play with another team was his relationship with the Lakers organization.  He was frustrated with the Lakers organization because he started to have bad relationships with the front office, as they refused to go all in for the title and wanted LeBron to take a backseat.  Philadelphia was the opposite, as Gansey proved that he was willing to go all in with one trade. For LeBron, the combination of a bond with the players and staff and a team that matched what he wanted made the decision easy. With the major additions of LeBron and Jaylen Brown, they also got solid role players to complement the powerful starting 5.

                  Nobody could have guessed this future for the Sixers a year ago after they had lost in the second round to the New York Knicks. Now they’re walking in with a starting 5 of Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid. For the first time in years, Philadelphia is the favorite to win the NBA championship.