The season may not be over yet, but the Philadelphia 76ers have every reason to take a premature view on what is ahead for the franchise in the offseason. After turning in one of the most disappointing single-season performances by a team in recent memory, the team is desperate to make some changes to catapult them back to contention in the following campaign.
Philly will have the luxury of possibly having a top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, which is widely reckoned to be filled with talent at every position. But aside from the draft, the 76ers still have other avenues to explore in order to improve the roster and undo some of the mistakes they made during last year’s spending spree.
Free agency will be especially pivotal for this team. However, unlike last year, the 76ers will not have full control over their financial flexibility with a handful of their players having player options to return for next season. In addition, the team can only afford to make low-cost additions to not further congest their already muddled payroll.
With that in mind, here are four, cheap soon-to-be free agents the team should already have on its radar.
The 76ers should already keep an eye on these four impending free agents
1. Steven Adams
The 76ers badly need better depth at center irrespective of what Andre Drummond does with his player option. With Joel Embiid not expected to be fully healthy anytime soon, Philly should take a flier on a cheap center, and what better player to target in this regard than Steven Adams?
Adams has not gotten much run with the Rockets this season, but his impact has still been felt even in his limited role. Still one of the biggest forces in the league on the offensive boards and as a screener, Adams would fit perfectly on the 76ers as a backup big who can make them more competent on the boards — a significant weakness for the squad.
2. Tre Jones
Aside from rebounding, the 76ers need natural playmakers on the roster. While they definitely can’t afford a starter-level player, they could take a look at someone like Tre Jones, a proven bench catalyst who, despite the relative lack of a three-point shot, is great at controlling the pace and attacking the rim with his quickness. Even better, his ball security is top-notch.
3. Trey Lyles
Should Philly lose Guerschon Yabusele, which is actually a real possibility this summer, Trey Lyles could take his spot as a floor-stretching big man who can play both power forward and center positions. Lyles is not flashy, but he is a smart, heady veteran who knows how to get to his spots and punish mismatches. Even better, he does not project to be an expensive get.
4. Ziaire Williams
The 76ers can never have too many forwards on the roster, and as insurance for Kelly Oubre Jr., the front office can take a flier on someone like Ziaire Williams, a rangy, 6’9” wing/forward who can offer some defensive malleability and a hint of a growing perimeter game.