Plan B
If the summer goes south and Philadelphia is unable to retain Butler and/or Harris, there are other intriguing options on the table. The Sixers can still open up considerable cap space in the right scenario and could make competitive offers for other high-profile free agents. Here are a few max or near-max free agents to keep an eye on.
Al Horford
Current status: Signed to Philadelphia 76ers
It’s abundantly clear the Sixers have some level of interest in Horford, potentially as a fallback option if Harris leaves. He’s an intriguing fit and would add more size to Philadelphia’s massive rotation, but a four-year contract at 33 years old is a tad frightening.
- Horford doesn’t have meetings scheduled yet, but the Kings have a massive offer at the ready. According to reports, however, the Kings aren’t confident Horford accepts the offer — leaving Philadelphia on the table as a potential suitor. If Butler leaves, Horford might be the alternative.
- Wow. The Sixers have agreed to terms on a five-year, $109 million deal to bring Al Horford to Philadelphia. It includes $97 million guaranteed, with the other $12 million serving as bonuses based on championships.
Malcolm Brogdon
Current status: Signed and traded to Indiana Pacers
The former Rookie of the Year — still should’ve gone to Embiid, of course — hits the market as a highly sought-after restricted free agent. The Bucks can match all offers, but decreasing cap flexibility could force Milwaukee to walk away after a certain threshold is reached.
It’s tough to imagine a better fit for Philadelphia — an elite spot-up shooter, a smart secondary ball handler and a switchable defender.
Bojan Bogdanovic
Current status: Signed to Utah Jazz
After Victor Oladipo injured his knee, it was Bogdanovic who stepped into the Pacers’ feature role on offense. He’d fit perfectly in the Sixers’ current group — an auxiliary scorer who can shoot, create off the bounce and defend his position.
D’Angelo Russell
Current status: Signed and traded to Golden State Warriors
Russell is currently a restricted free agent but that changes quickly if Kyrie Irving, as expected, signs in Brooklyn. Russell will be in line for $20 million+ after making his first All-Star appearance last season. A capable shooter and shifty isolation scorer, Russell’s an intriguing perimeter fit next to Simmons — his former high school teammate.