3 things the Philadelphia 76ers still need entering this season

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Kyle Lowry (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /

3 things the Sixers still need entering this season: Shot creator/clutch player

Needing a shot creator/ late game finisher is the whole reason why the Sixers are in the James Harden rumor mill in the first place. I’ve already written on the negatives of trading Simmons for Harden, so there’s no reason to harp on that point. Still, there’s no denying the 76ers need a closer who can create his own shot.

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Simmons won’t shoot so he can’t be that player until he does. Embiid can’t create offense for himself at the end of games, so he can’t be the team’s closer. Tobias Harris and Milton aren’t quick enough to create for themselves at the end of games so they can’t be options. It’s too early to know if Maxey can take on that role, but even if he can, he’s a rookie so won’t be doing it this year.

The crazy thing is that just two seasons ago, Philly had one of the most clutch finishers in the NBA in Jimmy Butler, but they couldn’t get him to re-sign in the 2019 offseason. That was a major failure of the franchise that should still haunt them.

They need to get someone else and while I’m not a fan of trading Simmons for Harden, that does help fill that need. Other players that could become available at some point this year are Kyle Lowry and Victor Oladipo. Both of those guys, Lowry especially, could be a closer for the Sixers moving forward. Getting either one would be tricky, but not impossible for the 76ers.

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There are three clear needs for the Philadelphia 76ers entering the 2020-21 season. Adding a stretch-5, veteran point guard, and clutch shot creator are things the front office shouldn’t ignore. If they get all three of these needs, they could be a favorite in the East to win the conference.