9 Free agent targets with ties to new 76ers coach Nick Nurse

Free Agent No. 2: Gary Trent Jr., Shooting Guard

Our final two players will be on the radar for the 76ers if James Harden does indeed walk in free agency. In that scenario, there are a few different paths for the Sixers adding significant players to try and remain at the top of the Eastern Conference.

One such option would be Gary Trent Jr., the former Duke player who started for Nurse often over the past three seasons. At 6’5″ he has good size for a shooting guard, with quick hands on defense and a knockdown shot on offense. For his career, Trent is a 38.4 percent 3-point shooter on a strong 7.6 attempts per 36 minutes.

In Philly, Trent could step in and start at shooting guard next to Tyrese Maxey, a defensive wingman next to the slight Maxey. He can space the court and/or enjoy the pockets of space provided by Joel Embiid’s gravity, and as Tobias Harris is either phased out or traded can take on that third scorer role.

It’s not clear what Trent’s priorities are in free agency, but the 76ers could in this scenario offer him a starting spot on a contender. That’s not a bad starting point.