Three Billboards in Cleveland: LeBron James getting local push to sign with Sixers (PHOTO)

"Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" is considered by many to be the favorite to win the Oscar trophy for Best Picture at Sunday's Academy Awards.

The film depicts the lead character buying three billboards along the same road in the movie title's namesake town, pushing authorities to investigate the murder of her daughter.

Some Sixers fans have taken a page out of that film's book, though on a lighter note.

Per ESPN's Darren Rovell, a Philadelphia-based company purchased three billboards down the road from the Cleveland Cavaliers' arena letting superstar LeBron James know that he should sign with the Sixers when he becomes a free agent this off-season.

A Philadelphia-based company put up three billboards on highway to downtown Cleveland this morning saying that city wanted LeBron. Here they are in order. pic.twitter.com/vntsa8h3mE
-- Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 26, 2018

About seven miles away from Quicken Loans Arena, the first billboard features No. 23 (James' number) in maroon with a crown on it on a court with four other numbers that coincide with the jerseys of Sixers players Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Dario Saric and Robert Covington.

The second billboard says "Complete The Process" and the third says "#PhillyWantsLeBron."

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According to Rovell, the billboards were purchased by Power Home Remodeling, a company based in Chester, Pennsylvania. Per Rovell, the Sixers were not involved in the construction or purchase of the three billboards, as that would violate the NBA's tampering rules.

Coincidentally (or not) the Sixers are in Cleveland this week for a Thursday night, nationally televised game against the Cavaliers at 8 p.m.

In recent weeks, the Sixers have emerged as a possible contender to sign James this off-season, assuming he declines his $35.6 million player option to become a free agent. Vegas has the Sixers as one of the favorites, and The Ringer's Bill Simmons recently wrote a column positing that it would be his best choice.

During All-Star Weekend, James raved about Embiid, the Sixers' own All-Star starter. An ESPN poll of some NBA players indicated that some around the league don't want James to relocate to Philadelphia.

The Sixers are one of the few teams expected to have enough salary cap space to sign James outright -- though, for a full max contract they'll have to rid themselves of Jerryd Bayless and his $8.5 million salary.

Zack Rosenblatt may be reached at zsr1090@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @ZackBlatt. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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