2 76ers that have earned untouchable status, 4 that need to be cut loose
By Oliver Fox
![James Harden (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) James Harden (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/bb46c97dd9528cb5978df15eb81f53f4e444d213a5fe037426b57a3e39f6bbf3.jpg)
3rd Cut: Georges Niang
This is our first real no-brainer cut, as Niang is a 30-year-old unrestricted free agent whose playoff contributions consisted of coming in every once in a while and hitting two momentum threes, and firing up the crowd with a couple of mean looks on his face and fiery fist pumps. He also grabbed Jaylen Brown’s leg in Game 7 of the second round, which I imagine didn’t have the effect he hoped it would.
Niang was a fun player because of his flame-throwing demeanor and status as a Dion Waiters-tier irrational confidence guy. He shot a solid 40 percent from three in a respectable 19 minutes but was played off the court against Boston, which is a matchup the 76ers absolutely must figure out how to crack. Niang just isn’t part of that plan.
Whatever veteran contract Niang is due is probably better spent elsewhere, so it’s not worth a roster spot to keep him for the sake of continuity. His 8 points per game can be replicated elsewhere.