The 76ers landed their top free-agency target in perennial All-Star ahead Paul George.
They agreed to signal All-Star Tyrese Maxey to a five-year max contract.
They introduced again considered one of final season’s key gamers in Kelly Oubre Jr., and started constructing across the edges with veteran middle Andre Drummond and long-range shooter Eric Gordon.
» READ MORE: Paul George was the Sixers’ only hope for a title. The risk is big. The odds speak for themselves.
Think about {that a} wildly profitable first 24 hours of free company. But work nonetheless stays for the Sixers to fill out the remainder of the roster — now with extra restricted cash to work with following their preliminary flurry of transactions.
Listed below are some lingering to-do gadgets:
Paul Reed’s non-guaranteed deal
Reed’s future in Philly is extra unsure than ever following these early offseason strikes.
The fifth-year huge man was already on a non-guaranteed contract, after the Sixers did not advance to the playoffs’ second spherical. However then the Sixers agreed to convey again Drummond, a extra confirmed backup middle, on a two-year deal. Additionally they chosen UCLA defensive middle Adem Bona within the second spherical of final week’s draft.
“BBall Paul” has lengthy been a fan favourite due to his rebounding, hustle performs, character, and “out-the-mud” mentality. However it is usually comprehensible why the Sixers wished to improve this place. They had been sunk every time Embiid was off the ground throughout their first-round playoff collection towards the New York Knicks, and couldn’t keep afloat through the 2023 MVP’s two-month absence while recovering from knee surgery.
So, what are the choices?
The Sixers might waive Reed, leading to a projected $9 million in cap room, in accordance with ESPN’s Bobby Marks. However with out getting too within the weeds, trade-package eventualities with Reed exist the place they might take again a participant making roughly $15 million. Suppose someone the caliber of wing Dorian Finney-Smith, who could possibly be available on the market because the Brooklyn Nets proceed their rebuild after buying and selling standout wing Mikal Bridges to the Knicks final week.
Any extra returnees?
The Sixers entered Sunday with 11 unrestricted free brokers.
Thus far, Oubre is again. However beginning ahead Tobias Harris, veteran ahead Nico Batum, multi-skilled guard De’Anthony Melton, and reserve middle Mo Bamba are all reportedly gone.
As of Monday night time, listed here are the 2023-24 Sixers who stay on the open market:
Kyle Lowry: May nonetheless be a backup level guard choice on a veteran minimal deal, contemplating his deep connection to Philly and Sixers coach Nick Nurse.
Buddy Hield: A lethal long-range shooter who joined the Sixers on the commerce deadline however didn’t not obtain ample time to floor-space for Embiid. He ultimately slipped out of the beginning lineup, then the playoff rotation, earlier than a breakout performance in Game 6 of the Sixers’ loss to the Knicks. After Sunday’s strikes, he’s seemingly too costly to re-sign.
Cameron Payne: One other trade-deadline acquisition who’s an instant-offense reserve guard. He could possibly be out there on a veteran minimal contract.
» READ MORE: Daryl Morey lands Paul George, his top target and the free agency’s biggest star
KJ Martin: Although not a constant rotation piece after coming over within the James Harden blockbuster, the 23-year-old is an intriguing athlete and versatile defender. He now appears like a wild card to return.
Robert Covington: Could be an intriguing (and, seemingly, reasonably priced) ahead choice if wholesome, after a puzzling foot bone bruise brought on him to overlook greater than 4 months to finish the season.
Jeff Dowtin: An in-a-pinch guard choice who initially signed a two-way contract earlier than getting transformed to a regular deal late within the common season. The Sixers just lately declined his team option for 2024-25.
Tackle energy ahead and reserve level guard
These are the clear positional priorities that must be accounted for someway, following the departures of Harris, Batum, and Melton and with uncertainty remaining about Lowry’s and Payne’s futures. Rebounding, together with complementary ballhandling and playmaking, are expertise the Sixers nonetheless want.
If not happy via the above classes, some cheaper choices at each spots are, coincidentally, acquainted names.
At ahead, what about Dario Saric, Marcus Morris Sr., or Haywood Highsmith? (One title with out Sixers ties: Kyle Anderson.)
And at guard, what about Seth Curry?
