The Philadelphia 76ers are no strangers to making front-office mistakes. There have been plenty in the last decade, and it dates back to the franchise’s first season in 1950. From missing in the draft to forgettable trades to regrettable free-agent signings, the Sixers have to clean things up if they want to win their fourth championship.
Time is ticking for the current 76ers. Reigning MVP Joel Embiid is in the middle of his prime and eager to win a ring to cement his legacy as an all-time great. Philadelphia has not made it to the conference finals since 2001, and their last title came in 1983. The Sixers are due but need to put more talent around The Process to win it all.
Philly has taken some chances on older players, and it usually does not work. Signing a talent who is already past his prime is always a gamble, and the 76ers have often come up bust when attempting to pull it off.
10. Al Horford
Horford is a five-time All-Star that helps his team win. In his first 16 NBA seasons, his team has missed the playoffs just once. The 6’9 big man could do it all on the floor in his prime. He was a strong rebounder and rim protector who made plays, defended multiple positions, and got buckets.
The 76ers signed Al Horford to a four-year $109 million deal in 2019, but he lasted just one season in Philadelphia. The 33-year-old saw his production drop off and the fit was just not there. He struggled next to Joel Embiid and was traded to Oklahoma City in the 2020 offseason. Horford has been a productive role player since leaving Philly, but the not the All-Star he was in his prime.
The Philadelphia 76ers regret signing Al Horford more for his fit than not having enough left in the tank. Still, the 6’9 big man was past his prime, and the team was bounced in the first round of the playoffs after two straight years of reaching the conference semifinals.