New LeBron James Rumors on Celtics, Clippers' Pursuit of Star in NBA Free Agency Before 76ers Deal

The Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves reportedly weren't the only teams that pursued LeBron James before he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers.

ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported Wednesday the Boston Celtics "expressed interest" in James earlier this offseason.

McMenamin reported the Los Angeles Clippers also spoke with James about a "one-season contract north of $20 million that would allow him to stay at his Brentwood, California, home."

Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul told ESPN James was considering a final five of the 76ers, Cavs, Heat, Warriors and Timberwolves, per McMenamin.

James ultimately chose to ink a two-year, $8 million deal with a player option to join the Sixers for his 24th NBA season.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported before that contract was signed he felt the Celtics "would rank 30th" on James' list of preferred free agency destinations.

James previously said in a July 2022 appearance on The Shop podcast crowds in Boston are his least favorite in the NBA to play in front of.

Had the Celtics been able to convince James to give Boston another shot, he would have been looking at joining a lineup that lost Jaylen Brown but added Paul George and Mitchell Robinson this offseason.

NBA insider Zach Lowe suggested the idea of the Clippers signing James in June because of the cap space the team could open up by declining multiple team options.

The kind of offer the Clippers could afford to make would have allowed James to maximize his earnings while staying near Brentwood, the Los Angeles neighborhood in which he has owned homes since 2015.

It would have also sent James to a franchise in the midst of uncertainty as the Clippers wait to finalize pending trade that would send Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for a package including Brandon Ingram.

James, who has made more than $580 million in career earnings and makes most of his money off the court (h/t Spotrac and Forbes), ultimately chose to move to the East Coast instead.

The Sixers will now hope James and Brown can help lead their franchise on its first title run since 1983.