Philadelphia 76ers fans are used to draft nights being pretty eventful since the beginning of “The Process”, however, the 2022 NBA Draft was the least eventful draft in about a decade. The Sixers first traded the 23rd pick and Danny Green for De’Anthony Melton. They followed up by signing undrafted rookie Julian Champagnie to a two-way contract.
It wasn’t the splashiest of drafts for the 76ers, but they did come away with two quality players. Now the question becomes what other needs does Philly have to address in free agency this offseason?
Free agent needs the Philadelphia 76ers’ needs after the draft.
Let’s start with what needs the Sixers filled on draft night. Melton is a 24-year-old combo guard at 6-foot-2 who has been a spark plug off the bench in terms of scoring. He and Shake Milton can both play on and off so the guard rotation seems set there.
In the short term, it’s unlikely that Champagnie is going to help the team this season, especially with Doc Rivers still as the head coach and his history of not playing young players. However, he could develop into a Robert Covington type of player in due time.
That being written, there are a few needs the Sixers still have. The biggest being is a 3-and-D wing, preferably between 6-foot-6 and 6-foot-8. Not having quality 3-and-D wings was one of the main issues in the 76ers second round series against the Miami Heat this past season.
Outside of that need, Philly could pursue a cheap veteran backup center to help mentor Paul Reed and Charles Bassey. Rich Hoffman of The Athletic had this quote from Sixers’ president of basketball operations Dary Morey.
Daryl Morey on potentially adding another backup center with Paul Reed and Charles Bassey already on the roster: "I think the bar will be high with a minimum spend at sort of the backup center spot because we feel like we got some guys who can contribute."
— Rich Hofmann (@rich_hofmann) June 24, 2022
It appears that those two young players will be at the top of the depth chart for center behind Joel Embiid so Morey is going to be picky about who he signs for that last spot.
In short, the Philadelphia 76ers still primarily need 3-and-D wings and it wouldn’t hurt for them to sign another backup big during free agency.