Philadelphia 76ers: What’s The Best Way To Approach Free Agency?

With the addition of Jerry Colangelo to the Philadelphia 76ers’ front office, free agency is a hot topic, but how should the team approach it?

The Philadelphia 76ers are probably at the bottom of a lot of high-end free agents, probably even mid-level free agents as well, but hopefully that won’t deter the organization from being extra aggressive this offseason in acquiring talent. The team is probably at the most critical point in the rebuild process, and must make roster improvements if some key people in the front office want to salvage their jobs. These improvements might be very, very costly. It might be worth it to throw out some extra change that other teams won’t/can’t to guys like forward Harrison Barnes or guard Brandon Jennings, who are proven productive players.

Intentionally overpaying for free agents may seem a little shortsighted, but in the 76ers’ situation it might be the way to getting back to competitive. The Sixers have an abundance of money, so they can afford to overpay one, and maybe even two players and still be able to pay their cornerstone guys who are nearing the end of their rookie contracts. Overpaying this offseason will mean the Sixers front office will be buying in to some of their current players (one of the three big men). The majority of the fanbase wants to trade center Nerlens Noel or Jahlil Okafor, rather than buying in, but it’s time for the front office to make a move and buy into at least one of these big men as the building block of the team. Once that confidence is set in, the front office can then pay for the necessary compliments for that player.

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Let’s look at Harrison Barnes, who is a restricted free agent. Mostly injured this season, the Sixers can capitalize on his mid-level perception to out pay other teams, and pay him to the extent where the Golden State Warriors won’t want to bring him back. Barnes is a 3-4 tweener who can defend the perimeter and hold his own in the post. His deadly mid range game would open up space for Okafor or Noel and seems like he’d be a perfect fit for coach Brett Brown’s offense. Is he a star or an elite player? Not a chance. But should the Sixers pay him like he is? Maybe. Value-wise he would be the most important addition to this team compared to any other team. Now, Barnes is just an example, and of course fans are all pulling for the number one pick and drafting LSU forward Ben Simmons, who would practically nullify this signing, but it is a good example of why the Sixers should go after productive starters harder than any other team in the league.

Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan, who is having a terrific season, might get multiple high level contracts and the Sixers should be one of the teams offering. Even with fan favorite guard Ish Smith at the helm, both guard positions should be focal points in the offseason. DeRozan can take over the two spot easily, the only problem is getting him here. Maxing out DeRozan may not be ideal but offering him a huge contract with other in-contract incentives could do the trick. DeRozan has really been overlooked even though he is creeping to the top tier of the league’s list of shooting guards and if he’s available this offseason he’ll be looking for big money. Prying him away from Toronto will be tough, but sending a signal to the league that the 76ers are forces to be reckoned with during free agency season is important as well.

Contrary to going all out for free agents, the Sixers can also be quiet. Not like 2015 quiet, where they seemingly scraped the bottom of the free agency barrel, but picking up some productiveness from proven sources. Guys like O.J. Mayo or Greivis Vasquez could fall into that category. This would give the team some more wins, not enough to show drastic change, but another way of bettering the team ever so slightly.

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So, what is the right approach? Hard to tell really, but at this point it would be refreshing to see an aggressive attack in free agency. It might be worth the money in the long run. It’ll be Sam Hinkie and Jerry Colangelo’s time to roll their sleeves up and get to work.