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SportsPerkins: Cavaliers, Celtics are biggest losers in LeBron James signing with 76ers
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ESPN analyst and former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins declared the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics the 'biggest losers' after LeBron James signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. Perkins argued the Cavaliers failed to make a move to attract James, while the Celtics 'gift wrapped' Jaylen Brown to the Sixers in a trade involving Paul George and four draft picks. James, a fan of Brown, will now join him alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia. The Sixers became the third betting favorite to win the NBA title, behind the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder. Meanwhile, Charles Barkley criticized James for consistently stacking his teams, referencing his stints in Miami, Cleveland, Los Angeles, and now Philadelphia. Perkins also noted that Jayson Tatum faces immense pressure to deliver for the Celtics this season.
Source report
LOS ANGELES — The Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics are the "biggest losers" in the LeBron James sweepstakes, according to ESPN analyst and former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins.
Perkins, who played alongside James on the Cavaliers and in AAU basketball, shared his assessment Saturday on SportsCenter following James' decision to sign a two-year, $8 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Perkins: Cavs Missed Their Chance
"No. 1, the Cavs are the biggest losers in this situation," Perkins said. "For whatever reason, they just didn't want to make a move and didn't want to make it eye candy for LeBron James to pick them. I feel like if they would have traded for Jaylen Brown, they would've had him."
Instead, the Sixers acquired Brown from the Celtics, sending an aging Paul George and four draft picks to Boston. James, a known admirer of Brown, will now join him alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey — the latter a fellow Klutch Sports client.
Celtics Face Pressure, Says Perkins
Perkins also directed criticism at the Celtics' front office.
"If you're [Celtics president] Brad Stevens, you're tossing and turning," Perkins said. "You're losing sleep because not only did you gift wrap Jaylen Brown, who's a Top 10 player in this league. You also gift wrapped, in my opinion, LeBron James, who is also a Top 10 player in this league."
He added: "So now you're looking at yourself and saying, 'Well, we got Jayson Tatum and Paul George, but what else do you have?'"
Perkins warned that Brown will be motivated to prove Boston wrong. "We know that Jaylen Brown is going to have a chip on his shoulder and the best way to get back at the Boston Celtics is by winning a championship. Right now, Jayson Tatum is under the most pressure out of any superstar in the NBA. He has to deliver in great fashion this season."
Betting Odds Shift
According to @BetOnline_ag, the Sixers are now the third betting favorite to win the NBA title — behind the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder — and ahead of the reigning NBA champion New York Knicks and the 2024 champion Celtics.
Barkley Criticizes James' Pattern
Not everyone is impressed by James' latest move. Speaking with Stephen A. Smith, Charles Barkley criticized James for consistently joining stacked teams.
"He stacked his team in Miami, he stacked it in Cleveland, he stacked it in LA, now he's stacking it in Philly," Barkley said. "… He's always stacked his team."
James, now on his fourth NBA franchise, has drawn renewed scrutiny for seeking championship success by joining rosters already loaded with star talent.
Source
Forbes - BusinessWestern
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Cavaliers, Celtics Called 'Biggest Losers' in LeBron James Signing with 76ers