Joe DiProsperos
- PG — Ben Simmons
- SG — J.J. Redick
- SF — Jimmy Butler
- PF — Tobias Harris
- C — Joel Embiid
- Bench — Cory Joseph, Kyle O’Quinn, Zhaire Smith, Matisse Thybulle, Mike Scott, Noah Vonleh, Justin Holiday, Chasson Randle, Shake Milton, Jonah Bolden, Marial Shayok (two-way), Norvel Pelle (two-way)
I’m all for running it back and I really think there’s a good chance it happens. In spite of all the hoopla surrounding the Houston Rockets pursuing a potential sign-and-trade for Jimmy Butler, I personally think that’s just a whole lot of talk without any real weight to it. If a five-year max is on the table at the start of free agency, I don’t see how Jimmy could possibly turn that down.
Tobias is the one most likely to leave, but Elton has said on multiple occasions he’s been given to go-ahead from ownership to do whatever it takes to bring this core back. It’s going to take max (or near-max) money to retain Tobias, which I think he ultimately signs for. He’ll be the third or fourth option much like last year as opposed to being the first or second option on another prospective team, but he’ll be in as a good position to compete for a title.
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J.J. looks to be returning too. He’s said he’d like to retire as a Sixer and his most recent podcast episode certainly made it seem as though he’ll return. Plus, with the amount of money the Sixers have committed to him the last few years (roughly $38 million), you would think there’d be some leeway when negotiating his next deal. Whether it’s a multi-year pact or a mid-level exception, I think Mr. Redick will be back.
Moreover, the Sixers are in need of a legitimate backup point guard along with a backup center. If they are indeed running it back and therefore find themselves in the luxury tax, they’re going to have to look for cheap options to address those needs. Cory Joseph has spent a majority of his career as a backup and would be an ideal target for the Sixers as a defensive-minded playmaker behind Ben Simmons. On the other hand, Kyle O’Quinn could very well be signed for a cheap deal to serve as a smart, veteran rim protector behind Joel Embiid.
To fill out the rest of the roster, guys like Justin Holiday and Noah Vonleh could be signed for team-friendly deals. Vonleh would serve as another floor-spacing stretch option and Holiday could provide some shooting that a team like the Sixers always welcome. Chasson Randle could be brought in to compete for backup point guard minutes with Shake Milton.