The Philadelphia 76ers have huge plans for the summer and are hoping to build a team capable of competing for championships for years to come.

In Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, they have two of the best young players in the league and in their first year together they proved they can challenge the best teams in the east.

But after losing to the Boston Celtics in the conference semifinals, head coach Brett Brown admitted that they needed to acquire a "high-level free agent" to win a title.

It's no coincidence that Brown chose to say this just a few months before a number of elite players hit the open market.

According to Keith Pompey of Philly.com, the Sixers have firmly set their sights on luring one of this year's biggest free agents, Paul George, to Philadelphia.

"Oklahoma City small forward Paul George is another free agent the Sixers have interest in, according to folks around the league. He would be a great fit because of his ability to shoot the ball and defend," Pompey said.

After LeBron James, PG13 is the most sought-after player in free agency and the 76ers will face stiff competition from both the Los Angeles Lakers and OKC for his services.

The franchise will also not give up hope of landing LeBron and will do everything they can to persuade the King to take his talents to Pennsylvania.

As well as LBJ and George, however, the Sixers are also reportedly keen to explore the possibility of securing a trade for Kawhi Leonard.

"Don’t be surprised if they also try to acquire San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard in a trade," Pompey wrote. "Sources have said the Sixers have expressed interest in the two-time All-Star."

Leonard only played nine games all season as he dealt with a quad injury and didn't feel 100% healthy to return for the second half of the year or the playoffs.

He was cleared to make a comeback by the Spurs doctors but he chose to undergo his own rehab with his personal medical team and it has caused strained relations between his camp and the organisation.

Many teams are watching these developments closely as it's unclear if Kawhi's future is in San Antonio.

He will become a free agent in 2019 but if he informs the Spurs of his desire to leave, they'll be left with little option but to trade him this summer and get something in return.

It's clear that the 76ers have huge ambitions for this offseason but there are several other teams in the same boat.

Just being in the mix for these players shows how far they've come but landing one of the aforementioned superstars would elevate them to another level.

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