Shortly after the Philadelphia 76ers’ disastrous 2024-25 season concluded on Sunday, many fans called for a massive change of direction. Some wanted Philadelphia to move on from its polarizing big three of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George while others wanted Daryl Morey and/or Nick Nurse out of employment. However, to the disappointment and outrage of those fans, Morey announced that the 76ers are running it back with the same core next season.
Unlike last offseason, Philadelphia is operating on a stricter budget as the bulk of its cap space is filled by its star trio – including George who will enter the second term of his four-year/$212 million contract next season. Barring any unforeseen trades, the 76ers are focused on improving their roster within the margins and building a viable supporting cast around their stars. Discluding two-way players, Philadelphia could have up to as many as nine players hitting free agency. Out of those nine, there are five players who the 76ers must attempt to retain.
#1 Quentin Grimes
When Philadelphia sent Caleb Martin and a 2030 second-round pick to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Quentin Grimes and a 2025 second-round pick, some fans were weary. Martin was a quality two-way wing on a multi-year team-friendly deal, but Grimes quickly proved the 76ers right. With countless injuries plaguing Philadelphia’s roster, Grimes rose to the occasion – averaging 26.6 points per game on 62.3% true-shooting, 4.9 assists per game, and 1.9 steals per game in March.
Within this span, Grimes recorded a career-high 46 points in the 76ers’ 144-137 overtime loss to the Houston Rockets on March 17th. Grimes played the best basketball of his four-year NBA career in this stretch—peaking as an offensive engine while remaining an impactful perimeter defender. Still, Philadelphia was largely without its top-end talent and bottomed out of the Eastern Conference standings.
Though Grimes averaging north of 20 points per game alongside the 76ers’ big three is unlikely, his skillset as a two-way wing is a textbook fit alongside them. He’ll enter the offseason as an unrestricted free agent – meaning that Philadelphia can retain him at virtually any price using his bird rights and it can also match any offer an opposing team may throw at him.
#2 Guerschon Yabusele
Team France found themselves down seven points to Team U.S.A. with less than three minutes remaining in the first half of the Gold Medal Game. That was until Guerschon Yabusele drove from the baseline and threw down an iconic one-handed jam over LeBron James. That electric moment encapsulated the excellent run Yabusele had with Team France and ultimately gave him a second chance in the NBA.
In late August, the 76ers took a chance on Yabusele – signing him to a one-year veteran minimum contract. Needless to say, the Frenchman far surpassed expectations and arguably became Philadelphia’s fifth-best player this season. On the year, Yabusele averaged 11 points per game on 61.6% true-shooting. 5.6 rebounds per game, and 2.1 assists per game. All of those marks are career-highs following his two-year stint with the Boston Celtics from 2017-19 where he couldn’t find his niche.
Fast-forward to now and Yabusele is expected to be one of the best role players to enter unrestricted free agency this summer. As previously mentioned, the 76ers are going to be on somewhat of a strict budget, so if a team were to offer Yabusele a hefty contract, they likely wouldn’t be able to match it. Philadelphia’s best bet is to clear enough cap space to acquire the $12.8 million non-tax-paper mid-level-exception, which it could use to re-sign Yabusele. Still, with the status of the 76ers’ 2025 first-round pick in the air, it’s impossible to forecast their exact financial situation.
#3 Jared Butler
On the February 6th NBA trade deadline, Philadelphia made one trade, which was dealing Reggie Jackson and a 2026 first-round pick swap to the Washington Wizards for Jared Butler and four future second-round picks. During Morey’s end-of-season press conference on Sunday, he revealed that the 76ers are now targeting dynamic, youthful players rather than veterans and this trade seemed to have kickstarted their new vision.
With Kyle Lowry’s rapid decline and hip injury, Philadelphia needed another traditional point guard and Butler fit the mold. As the 76ers embarked on a tank, Butler got an extended opportunity and showed growth as an all-around player – tallying 11.5 points per game on 54% true-shooting and 4.9 assists per game with them this season. Butler has a $2.3 million team option this summer and Philadelphia would be wise to cash in on it.
#4 Justin Edwards
While the 76ers’ 2024 offseason remains heavily controversial, the one aspect that they unanimously dominated was the draft. Philadelphia netted Jared McCain with the 16th overall pick, snagged Adem Bona with the 41st overall pick, and then poached Justin Edwards as an undrafted free agent. Similar to Butler, Edwards carved out a role for himself as the 76ers pursued the riches of the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery.
Edwards established himself as a two-way forward with great upside as a point-of-attack defender and as a three-level scorer. He led rookies in steals this season – averaging one per game alongside 10.1 points per game on 55.9% true-shooting and 3.4 rebounds per game. While his game is still rough around the edges, Edwards’ skill-set is a perfect match with Philadelphia’s tandem of Embiid, Maxey, and George. He has a $2 million team option this offseason and the 76ers would be foolish to not accept it immediately.
#5 Lonnie Walker IV
Considering Philadelphia found great success buying low on Yabusele, it attempted to strike gold twice by signing Lonnie Walker IV – who spent most of this season overseas – to a two-year/$3.7 million contract in late February. Between readjusting to the NBA and suffering a concussion, Walker’s 76ers tenure got off to a rough start, but he started to establish rhythm in the last few weeks of the season.
In his final five games, Walker posted 22.8 points on 62% true-shooting – including a season-high 29 points in Philadelphia’s 117-105 loss to the Miami Heat on April 7th. He has a $2.9 million team option for next season and considering the 76ers’ newfound desire for youth and athleticism, they should retain him. Between spurts of hot perimeter shooting and his burst off the dribble, Walker could be a quality depth piece for cheap.