Philadelphia 76ers: 5 power forwards free agent options in 2021

The Philadelphia 76ers are in need of quality power forward depth and that’s what this free agent installment will be evaluating. It was an undersold just how poor the Sixers depth was at that position last season.

Tobias Harris was a borderline All-Star last season which was great, but outside of Harris, the 76ers didn’t have great depth. Point guard Ben Simmons was usually the primary backup for Harris after it was clear that Mike Scott shouldn’t be playing. Simmons appears not to be in Philly’s long term plans anymore either. Paul Reed has potential but it wasn’t ready last season and it’s not clear if he’d be ready next season either.

Adding a power forward who can stretch the floor is essential for the Sixers to build around Embiid. If that player can defender to that would be another positive, but not necessary in the free agent market this offseason.

5 power forwards free agent options: Semi Ojeleye

A free agent of the Boston Celtics, Semi Ojeleye should be an option for the Philadelphia 76ers if they believe that Paul Reed has a chance to be a contributing member of the rotation. Now don’t be a mistake, Ojeleye could be the backup to Harris if Reed struggles next season.

Last season with the Celtics, he averaged 4.6 points and 2.6 rebounds. He also shot 36.7 percent from the 3-point line. He’s a nice role on offense, he’s not going to provide much offense, but he doesn’t deviate from his role which is nice.

The down part to Ojeleye is that he’s not much of a defender. He is 6-foot-6 and that’s on the small side of the power forward. However, if he’s playing in the second unit, that won’t be as much of a problem during the regular season.

That being written, the 26-year-old forward isn’t a bad player to have on the bench and the 76ers could easily have him on a minimum deal. He’d be able to push Reed to improve and if Reed can’t cut it, then Ojeleye can fill in as Harris’ backup.