Saquon Barkley makes his 76ers recruiting pitch to LeBron James

· Yahoo Sports

The LeBron James rumor mill has shifted into overdrive. As the four-time NBA champion weighs the next step in what could be the final chapter of his legendary career, the Philadelphia 76ers have emerged as one of several teams reportedly in the mix. Whether James ultimately lands in the City of Brotherly Love remains anyone's guess, but one of the city's biggest sports stars has already made his pitch.

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Enter Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. Speaking Thursday, Barkley encouraged James to consider what many see as one of the best sports cities in this great country.

Might LeBron James fully embrace Philadelphia as Saquon Barkley has?

The comments were lighthearted, but they also reflected how quickly Barkley has become one of Philadelphia's biggest ambassadors. When he arrived from the New York Giants, many wondered how quickly Eagles fans would embrace a longtime division rival. Two seasons later, that question has long since been answered.

Barkley has repeatedly praised Philadelphia's passionate fan base while becoming one of the faces of the franchise. His latest recruiting effort only reinforced that connection. He also acknowledged the city's demanding reputation, something he experienced firsthand while wearing a Giants uniform.

Whether Barkley's pitch carries any weight in James' decision is another matter entirely. The NBA's all-time leading scorer has reportedly drawn interest from several contenders, and Philadelphia is hardly the only franchise hoping to add one of basketball's greatest players.

Still, Barkley's comments offered another reminder of how invested he has become in his adopted city. Less than three years after crossing over in one of the NFL's fiercest rivalries, Barkley isn't simply starring for the Eagles anymore. He's proudly representing Philadelphia whenever the opportunity presents itself.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Saquon Barkley makes his 76ers recruiting pitch to LeBron James

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