Ranking 5 superstar free agents 76ers can woo next summer
By Tyler Watts
The Philadelphia 76ers are still trying to build a championship team around Joel Embiid. They navigated the James Harden drama and are off to a strong start. Tyrese Maxey looks like an All-Star and the reigning MVP will be back in the running for a second straight. New head coach Nick Nurse has revamped their offense, but Philly has far from a finished roster.
Embiid and Jaden Springer are the only players under guaranteed contracts for next season. Tyrese Maxey will be a restricted free agent in the 2024 offseason and is expected to receive a maximum deal. Philadelphia president Daryl Morey wants to add a third star, and the Harden trade gave him the assets to acquire one before the deadline.
If the 76ers cannot find a top-end talent, they will be looking in free agency. Who is available next summer, and how much could they impact the team’s championship odds?
5. Pascal Siakam
The Raptors face several tough decisions before February’s trade deadline. Siakam and Gary Trent Jr. are set to become unrestricted free agents in the summer of 2024, and OG Anunoby has a player option for next season. All three players could depart if not extended. Toronto missed the playoffs in 2023 and lost Fred VanVleet in free agency. They cannot afford to let anyone else walk, much less three key players.
It has been a slow start for Siakam, and president Masai Ujiri made it clear that he would not get an extension until he played “the right way”. They cannot let the two-time All-Star reach free agency, so the front office should look to trade him before the deadline.
Pascal Siakam can handle the ball, score, make plays, and defend multiple positions. He would be a fantastic fit in Philadelphia next to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Siakam could reunite with Nick Nurse and help the 76ers become one of the most feared teams in the NBA.