Tyrese Maxey 'Got Some Inkling' LeBron Would Choose 76ers 1 Day Before Deal, New NBA Rumors Reveal

LeBron James may have communicated to his inner circle where he was leaning before he announced his decision to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers.

ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported Monday that Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey, who shares an agent with James, "was among a small group of people who got some inkling late Thursday night that James would ultimately choose the Sixers."

Maxey celebrated the news by comparing himself to former coach and famed recruiter John Calipari:

James didn't take formal meetings with teams during free agency. As a result, interested suitors had to state their case mostly through third parties. Bob Myers, the president of the Sixers' wider ownership group, laid out his vision while appearing on the podcast co-hosted by James' agent, Rich Paul.

Being an NBA player has its privileges, though. ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported on July 14 that Maxey and Sixers teammates Joel Embiid and Jaylen Brown "have all been in communication with James." Maxey was described as "leading the charge," and their Klutch Sports connection helped in that regard.

That aspect has to be encouraging for Philadelphia regardless of how the next few seasons unfold.

The 76ers' superteam formula presents some risk. You have the health concerns around Embiid. James will turn 42 in December. And Brown will have to make some sacrifices on the court after enjoying life as the Boston Celtics' top star with Jayson Tatum sidelined.

There may be a point in the near future where the organization has to reorient its vision around Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. If that comes to pass, it sounds like Maxey understands his role as a salesman and can make a persuasive argument to his fellow stars.