Tyrese Maxey Opens Up About LeBron James Recruitment in New Video After NBA Icon's 76ers Contract

Philadelphia 76ers star guard Tyrese Maxey said he wasn't blowing up LeBron James' phone during free agency as the legendary forward decided his next move, but he certainly reached out.

"I don't blow up no man's phone. Now, did I call? For sure," he told the Numbers on the Board podcast. "I mean I didn't know at first if it was possible. I don't know if he was a free agent two years ago or last year [two years ago], and you know we work out in the morning. So I texted Rich [Paul], 'Man, give me LeBron's number, I'm about to mess with him real quick.' Just on some funny stuff. I hit him like, 'Yo, you're always welcome to come to Philly' before he re-signed with the Lakers. We always knew he was going back to the Lakers. I'm just messing with him. And then this time, Paul was like, 'Look, I don't know what he's going to do. He doesn't know what he's going to do, so holler at him.' So I hit him, I'm like, 'Yo, pull up, I think we got a good chance. I feel like you can help us. You're arguably, if not the greatest of all-time so it's like why wouldn't we want you on our team?' Just gave him the rundown on that. And I probably talked to him at least three times, three or four times."

Those conversations, alongside ones held with Joel Embiid and the offseason addition of Jaylen Brown, ultimately persuaded James to sign a minimum contract with the Sixers. The move instantly catapulted the Sixers to legitimate contender status, though there will be an adjustment period.

Maxey is certainly prepared to make any necessary sacrifices to win:

A lot of excitement is brewing in Philadelphia following the additions of Brown and James. The Process-era Sixers have long failed to reach expectations, but they've never had this much talent.