Philadelphia 76ers: The 2017 Offseason is Even More Important

Despite how important this year’s offseason was to the long term future of the team, the next offseason is even bigger for the Philadelphia 76ers.

2016 was huge year for the Philadelphia 76ers. After closing out one of the worst basketball seasons from a team in recent history, the Sixers immediately turned their attention to the future. In May, they won the NBA Draft Lottery, and in June, they selected Ben Simmons first overall. In July, they made some solid free agency signings.

The attitude, now that the offseason moves are just about completed, about the Sixers’ offseason is positive. Fans are looking at what the team has done and realizing that the steps Bryan Colangeo is taking now that he is in charge of the team are positive ones.

Still, this is not the offseason that will determine the franchise. Instead, 2017 will be the biggest and most important offseason.

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Let’s just think about the expectations for this year’s regular season for a moment. We’re expecting (most of us, anyway) between 20 and 30 wins by the time the season ends. If things go really well, then the team could push something like 35, but that would be a huge surprise to me.

Instead of seeing lots of wins, we’re hoping to see lots of learning and development. Last season was the same, but last season, it didn’t matter if the team was still the worst, since that meant they would likely get the first overall pick. This year, we’re certainly expecting some wins alongside the learning and development, especially with the veterans that were added onto the team.

Going into the offseason next summer, how do you top 2016? How do you expand on 2016? CBS Sports writer Matt Moore recently wrote a really good article highlighting some up-and-coming teams in the NBA, and how they’re implementing internal improvement within their franchise.

He highlighted the Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, and Denver Nuggets as teams that are doing well in that realm. The Sixers need to do the same, working to not only improve the pieces that are already there, but also add on pieces that will help in the future.

Up to this point, the Sixers have had a good offseason. I would not go so far as to call this offseason great. The Sixers have added four rookies, and no big-name free agents. We’re still waiting on that blockbuster player to sign with the Sixers.

Additionally, next offseason is going to be more important contractually. Sergio Rodriguez, Carl Landry and Hollis Thompson are all unrestricted free agents. Nerlens Noel is a restricted free agent. Joel Embiid, Robert Covington and Jerami Grant all are on team options next season. The Sixers need to figure out who they want to keep around, and who they don’t. Some of those decisions are easier than others.

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Regarding free agency, the Sixers need to make moves to bring in a big name. Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, and Giannis Antetokounmpo all are free agents next summer. Most of them seem unlikely to sign with the Sixers. Players like Kyle Lowry, Dennis Schroder, or Victor Oladipo, who are all also free agents, seem much more likely.

On top of that, the Sixers still have a fair amount of first-round picks next season that all should be lottery picks. Do the Sixers trade those for established players, or do they use the picks and continue to lengthen the period of time that they will be waiting on development?

A lot of decisions need to be made, and the questions that need to be solved are not necessarily easy.

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Teams that are going to become competitive do not become complacent. The Sixers need to ensure that the upcoming offseason does not see them becoming complacent, otherwise all of the draft picks and rookie signings from this summer mean practically nothing in the long run.