The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers Bringing Fat Wallets To Free Agency

By Bret Stuter

Sep 29, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie talks with reporters during media day at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie talks with reporters during media day at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 9, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Team USA general manager Jerry Colangelo during a press conference at the 2016 Team USA Media Summit at the Beverly Hilton. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Team USA general manager Jerry Colangelo during a press conference at the 2016 Team USA Media Summit at the Beverly Hilton. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports /

Free Agency Isn’t Free

The alternate route, now that some of the talent is maturing and coming to fruition, is to augment the players currently developing on the team with veterans (perhaps one or two) who can act both as mentor and as liaison to the young talent.  Picture a role on the roster similar to Elton Brand, but with a player who can start and who is one of the league leaders at his position?   Now that would be a huge boost to the team that currently scrambles to win a game.  That is the avenue the Philadelphia 76ers are now taking.

We’ve discussed the opportunities that free agency avails:  could the team sign a quality shooting guard like Bradley Beal, or a even a marquis legendary name like small forward Lebron James?  Well, it would have seemed impossible at the beginning of the season.  But in the interim, the team has brought on executive Jerry Colangelo, who is as plugged in to the NBA talent as anyone can be.  His arrival has changed the direction of the team- both with is commitment to creating a culture to attract top tier talent of the NBA, as well as the commitment to win playoff games in three years.

Both goals are huge stretches from the starting point of where the team is now.  But they are achievable, if the team makes use of all of its assets, focuses on the ultimate goal, and uses precision to identify and select the right players to bridge the team from a team filled with developing talent and the team with mature players who are at the peak of their game.

Next: Is Joel Embiid Behind Schedule?

To do so, the team will need to manage the salary cap – another seldom used skill over the past three years.  And that is where the market demand will flip the other direction.  Per the salary cap analysis of the folks at www.spotrac.com , the Philadelphia 76ers committed salary for the 2016-2017 season stands at a paltry $37,621,226 which gives the team a whopping $51,378,774 to spend.  Now we know that the team will be on-boarding as many as four first round drafted prospects, as well as signing up forward Dario Saric.  But even with those factored in, the Philadelphia 76ers will be the deepest pockets entering the 2016 NBA free agent market.

You can virtually ignore what you’ve read to date about how agents steer their clients clear of the Sixers.  Agents work on a commission, and if the Sixers have the most to spend, you can bet agents will be contacting the team to guage mutual interest.  If the agents removed Sam Hinkie’s number from their speed dial, you can bet they have the number of Jerry Colangelo near the top of their list and will not hesitate to call.

Stand back NBA.  The time is rapidly approaching for the lion cub to roar.   When free agency hits this year, the Philadelphia 76ers will no longer have their lights out.  It’s been a long time coming.  Will you be ready when it arrives?