By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
We have seen billboards on major highways, banner-carrying airplanes flying above the site of the 2018 NBA Draft, and countless celebrity recruitments.
Philadelphia has made it clear that it wants three-time NBA champion superstar LeBron James, ahead of the free agency period getting underway this Sunday, July 1. Although James, 33, is set to earn $35.6 million next season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he is expected to exercise his player option by Friday's deadline and enter free agency to acquire a max contract.
James has until June 29 to pick up a $35.6 million player option from the Cavaliers.
This Thursday, June 28, the Philadelphia Phillies Triple-A affiliate Lehigh Valley IronPigs will make their final pitch to the 14-time All-Star, as it hosts "#LVWantsLeBron Night" to conclude their four-game homestand against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
Your next locker awaits, @KingJames.
See you next month. https://t.co/CtHOpAa20F#LVWantsLeBron #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/N3irXHwdjM
— IronPigs (@IronPigs) June 9, 2018
The IronPigs are marketing the event as a pitch for James to join their team, however it is all for fun in the collective effort to have him join the Philadelphia 76ers to play alongside up-and-coming players Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.
Similar to the Phillies' Jim Thome "head-on-a-stick" cutouts given away earlier this month as they honored his Hall of Fame career, the IronPigs will give away James head cutouts to the first 1,500 adults. Headbands will also be given to the first 1,500 children, 17 and under.
An extended, two-hour pre-game happy hour — featuring $1 Berks hot dogs and $2 domestic drafts — will also take place prior to the 7:05 p.m. first pitch.
For tickets and more information, visit www.milb.com/tickets.
