Sixers free agency 2021: To-do list after quiet first day

Sixers free agency to-do list #2: Use the mid-level exception

Last season, Morey opted not to use the mid-level exception. Some would argue it was to infiltrate a buyout market that never materialized. Others would argue it was ownership who kept him frugal. Either way, there’s no excuse not to use it this summer. Every roster spot counts in pursuit of a championship, and $5.9 million can net you a real contributor.

Some of the flashier names are off the board — Jeff Green, Otto Porter, P.J. Tucker, JaVale McGee, Nicolas Batum — but a slew of useful free agents remain. The Sixers need size on the wing, a backup center, and can never get too much shooting. There are multiple avenues Morey can take, all he needs to do is take one.

Also of note is George Hill, who the Sixers plan to waive. If Hill is waived and Green doesn’t re-sign, then Philadelphia could gain access to the full mid-level exception, which exceeds $9 million. The preferable option would be to keep Green, but if Hill is getting waived (and $10 million in expiring money is getting shoved out the door with him), then it’s not hard to venture a guess about Green’s future. That Hill contract was useful salary-filler in a trade.

However much money ends up at Morey’s disposal, he needs to spend it. Ownership has to let him spend it. Victor Oladipo, James Ennis, Paul Millsap, Andre Iguodala, Nemanja Bjelica, Lou Williams, and Bruce Brown are some of the interesting names still floating around. Also, there’s the backup center need…