Philadelphia 76ers: Making the case for/against re-signing each free agent
Overall Final Answer
The bottom line is, if looking for help on a run for the NBA championship, you could make an argument that a GM could chuck the entire Sixers non-rookie roster except for Harris, Embiid, Simmons and Butler from last year’s team and find more than adequate replacements
To repeat, the Sixers could get rid of nine of its 13 veteran players from the playoff roster and be just fine.
Redick would be nice to have back, at an acceptable price. He can shoot but he is 35 years old. A good piece to have but not one the Sixers should plan on counting on for next season. Unlike this past year when they struggled mightily to score when he was not in the lineup, Brand needs to find some more shooters who are not turnstiles on defense.
Scott and Ennis would be fine to return but lets get to brass tacks. Both are around 30 and jouneymen. Being a decent NBA player is fine, you need those type of players to win titles, but if they start getting pricey, the Sixers should pass.
The rest? No more than third-stringers or locker-room positive influences. No center not named Embiid should return except for the aforementioned locker room, third-string reasons.
Elton Brand has to come to grips with how bad the bench was last season. So awful, two benchwarmers from playoff-fringe teams leaped in front of everyone despite joining in February.
In a way, this is good news. Outside of Redick, any other player leaving would not be a gut punch to the Sixers’ title hopes. It gives Brand a lot of flexibility.
Sentimentality is for inviting former players to the championship parade.