Sixers: 8 former players that the club could sign in free agency

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Philadelphia 76ers, Dwight Howard (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

8 former players that the club could sign in free agency: Frontcourt players

James Ennis (2018-20)

James Ennis is one of the most underrated offensive rebounding wings in the NBA. He’s a solid defender, but inconsistent shooting led the Philadelphia 76ers to trade him to the Orlando Magic for a second round pick that turned into Paul Reed.

Ennis is worth a minimum contract, especially because he had his best shooting year this past season. Ennis when hitting his shot is a very solid 3-and-D wing and at 6-foot-6, he provides solid size on defense. With the Magic rebuilding, it would seem likely that Ennis will look for a contender to join, so why not one of his former teams.

Ersan Ilyasova (2016-17, 2017-18)

Like Smith, Ersan Ilyasova also had two separate stints with the 76ers. It could be argued that Ilyasova had the best two stints of his career with Philly. However, at the age of 34-years-old, the European power forward is near the end of his career.

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That being written, he still appears to have his shooting stroke as he shot around 43.9 percent from the 3-point line in limited minutes. It still looks like that he can provide shooting, which is what the Sixers need around Joel Embiid. He’d be what Mike Scott was supposed to be this past shooting-wise, only Ilyasova probably be a bench veteran making the minimum.

Nerlens Noel (2013-17)

Nerlens Noel was selected with one of the picks that the 76ers received in the deal that sent Jrue Holiday to the New Orleans Pelicans. Noel’s tenure as Philly’s center of the future was short lived with the team drafting Embiid and less importantly Jahlil Okafor in two consecutive drafts after he was picked.

Noel has made a good name for himself as a defensive anchor who is a very good backup and solid starter. Noel has been taking one year deals on the cheap side. He’s probably had one of the best defensive years of his career with the New York Knicks, so he could go for more. However, if he sticks to his current trade, he could be signed for the Mid-Level exception if he wants to be a good backup for Embiid.

Dewayne Dedmon (2013-14)

While on the subject of a solid backup for Embiid, Dewayne Dedmon would be another solid option. His stint with the Sixers was during his rookie year and during “The Process”. Dedmon has developed into a solid defender, rebounder, finisher, and while he hasn’t done it recently, he has shown to be a floor spacer in the past.

He just finished a stint with the Miami Heat and played very good minutes backing up Bam Adebayo. At 7-feet tall, Dedmon is another big body to absorb minutes for Embiid. He and Redick are the players I personally prefer the 76ers to go after in free agency most out of the players on this list.

All these players could provide solid play for the Philadelphia 76ers if the team decided to sign these alumni in free agency.

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