Lakers Must Secure LeBron James' Contract to Contend for NBA Title amid 76ers Rumors

The Los Angeles Lakers officially have competition in the LeBron James sweepstakes.

Kind of.

The Philadelphia 76ers, who already have a star tandem in Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey plus the flexibility to add more, "are a threat" to sign LeBron James, ESPN's Brian Windhorst said on Get Up. The problem, for Sixers fans, is they're not considered "a serious threat" to actually lure James away from L.A.

Philly will still present its pitch if given the opportunity, of course. And it is a compelling case to be heard.

A healthy Embiid is a serious presence in the best-player-on-the-planet debate. Maxey is an ascending star who has elevated so quickly that even the most active imaginations may not accurately comprehend what his future could hold.

And then, there's basically a blank slate around them with gobs of cap space and trade chips at the ready to construct a supporting cast around the foundation.

If James is dead-set on adding to his championship ring collection before calling it quits, relocating to the City of Brotherly Love could sound awfully tempting.

Again, though, this is speculation at this point and nothing more.

The Sixers will give James chase in large part because they're always in the market for more stars. Plus, it's LeBron freakin' James. Even if your percentage chance of getting him is less than a full point, as long as it's not zero, you at least entertain the idea.

The Lakers, meanwhile, have tons working in their favor to keep him. Which, by the way, remains the most outcome of his upcoming free-agency adventure. Windhorst said himself the team is in a "very, very strong position" to re-sign him, and he "would be surprised if he's not a Laker."

James already has his handpicked sidekick alongside him in Anthony Davis. L.A. has the resources to go third-star shopping if it wants. It could also run it back with this rock-solid supporting cast in place and hopefully a few additions to the rotation.

James and Davis can serve as the backbone of a championship-banner-raising bunch. The Lakers know that already. They've seen it happen.

They should also know that their championship hopes go up in smoke if James surprises and seeks out greener pastures. There is no purple-and-gold hued championship blueprint for next season without him.

He's the reason this organization can dare to dream as big as possible. He's the reason to believe that if L.A. simply snags a seat the playoff table, then anything could happen.

And he, presumably at least, wants to stick around.

Still, it could be helpful to remind this front office that he has realistically viable alternatives. The Lakers need to do everything they can to convince him to stay. That might be where he's leaning right now, but he can certainly head elsewhere if they give him reasons to look around.