LeBron James has begun his recruiting efforts to bolster the Los Angeles Lakers' roster this offseason in free agency.

The Lakers enter the offseason widely considered a longshot to sign someone on the level of Kawhi Leonard or Kevin Durant.

"From what I understand, he has already begun the recruiting process," said Brian Windhorst. "I have heard he has had contact with Kawhi Leonard. I have heard he has had contact with Jimmy Butler. There's no tampering enforcement by players. While Magic Johnson, the guy who got trouble for tampering before is no longer there, LeBron is tamperer-in-chief of the Lakers right now. The thing about it is, I don't know if texts and calls and maybe a dinner with LeBron is enough for the Lakers to overcome the hurdles they're going to have.

"I just don't think the Lakers can be choosy. To be honest, I think the Lakers really have to look at the trade market. Would they be willing to make an offer Bradley Beal? Would they be willing to make an offer for a guy like DeMar Rozan who could possibly be on the trade block depending on whether the Spurs want to extend his contract? Would they be willing to wait for Anthony Davis a year from now?"

The Philadelphia 76ers can offer Tobias Harris up to a five-year, $188 million contract in free agency.

Harris is also expected to receive interest from the Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets. The most those teams can offer is a four-year, $141 million max contract.

The Sixers traded Landry Shamet, Wilson Chandler, Mike Muscala, and four draft picks — including a protected 2020 first-rounder and the unprotected 2021 Miami Heat first-rounder in a package for Harris.

James Ennis will decline his $1.8 million player option for the 19-20 season with the Philadelphia 76ers to become a free agent.

Ennis signed a two-year, $3.4 million contract with the Houston Rockets in the offseason.

Ennis was traded by the Rockets to the 76ers at the deadline in a luxury tax clearing room.

Jimmy Butler expects to sign a max contract this offseason, whether it is with the Philadelphia 76ers on a five-year deal or a rival team on a four-year deal.

“Technically I think, knock on wood, I will get a max contract anywhere I choose to go,” Butler said. “So if you are talking a four-year, five-year, that is more than enough money anyway. I think I still have more than enough money now from my first deal.”

Butler had a strong playoff run for the 76ers.

“As long as you play hard, the city loves you; and give your all, that is all they ask of you,” Butler said. “It has definitely been fun to meet and interact with the fans and the people in the organization and absolutely everybody is amazing.”

Brett Brown will return as the head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2019-20 season.

There was speculation surrounding Brown's future following their game 7 loss to the Raptors. Managing partner Josh Harris quickly eliminated those doubts in a lengthy meeting with Brown and Elton Brand to discuss the future of the franchise heading into the offseason.

The announcement came after Joel Embiid publicly supported Brown.

"I don't think he should have anything to worry about. He's an amazing coach, a better person, and obviously I've got a lot of love for him. If there is someone to blame, put it all on me."

Joel Embiid defended Brett Brown amid speculation the Philadelphia 76ers could make a coaching change.

Embiid called the idea that Brown might be fired "bulls---," saying, "He's done a fantastic job. He's been there through everything.

"This year I think he grew even more as a coach. He learned, we all learned.

"At the end of the day, it comes down to the players. I don't think he should have anything to worry about. He's an amazing coach, a better person. ... If there was someone to blame, I mean, put it all on me."

Before the start of the playoffs, Josh Harris said he expected the 76ers to at least reach the Eastern Conference Finals.

Brett Brown and Mike Scott discussed the heightened experience of playing in a game 7 as the Philadelphia 76ers prepared for their road game against the Toronto Raptors.

"I've said it before and I mean this, it's a life experience. It's for sure a sporting experience, but playing in Game 7s [is] different. Everything is just zoomed in, it's just raw. It always gets back to, in my opinion, defense. There will be no like, oh that's a great shot. Everything's contested, lots of times you hope to just get a shot...and it incrementally increases as the clock winds down," said Brown.

Scott added that his younger teammates have asked him for advice on dealing with the intensity of the game.

"Some of the young guys asked me about it. I just told them we just gotta man up, grow some b---, you know — it's gonna be hostile," Scott said.

The Philadelphia 76ers could fire Brett Brown if they lose Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Toronto Raptors.

Brett Brown entered the offseason with questions about his future as head coach of the 76ers.

According to Marc Stein, Brown "has little chance of surviving a second-round exit."

Joel Embiid's flagrant foul in game 6 against the Toronto Raptors, his 3rd in the playoffs, will not be rescinded. Embiid was called for the flagrant after hitting Marc Gasol in the face as they battled for position during a rebound.

Players receive a 1-game suspension after reaching 4 flagrant-foul points.

"I mean it's annoying, it's stupid. I feel like the one in Brooklyn should be rescinded and tonight, it's just basketball. I didn't mean to do it. I just happened to hit him in the face I guess and didn't mean to do it," said Embiid after the game. 

Brett Brown credited Jimmy Butler's mentality after the Philadelphia 76ers' 112-101 win over the Toronto Raptors in game 6 to tie the series.

Butler finished with 25 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds.

“The way he started and even the way he ended the first half, he just stamped his authority and his skill package and his will...he was all over that game...I think he got it as much as anybody and led us. He was a tremendous leader. His performance mirrored his attitude," said Brown.

Ben Simmons finished with 21 points and 8 rebounds, while Joel Embiid recorded a career-high plus-minus of +40.

Brown emphasized Butler's combination of mentality and strength. 

"I've said this before. There is an adult in the room when he's in the room. You know the athletic plays that he makes, the physical plays that he makes; he's a tank...When he has that sort of laser focus and that body to back it up, incredible things happen offensively and defensively."