From that point, the Sixers felt they had a legitimate shot at getting James’ signature to complete a powerhouse starting lineup. James prioritized winning another championship over anything else, agreeing to a two-year, minimum-salary contract with a player option on Friday. Guard Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid contacted James multiple times during the process, lobbying him to join forces with them. Maxey shares the same agent, Rich Paul, and he and James have worked out together in past summers. James and Embiid were teammates on Team USA for the Paris Olympics.