For some reason, the Philadelphia 76ers felt the need to “reinforce” the backcourt this offseason right when they already had an abundance of talented guards. Now, that is actually a good, self-aware team given the current trends in the league, but the way they did it definitely puzzled a lot of people. After all, their depth pieces came in the form of two, washed veterans.
Both Kyle Lowry and Eric Gordon have given the 76ers absolutely nothing this season. They are way past their primes even if you stretch it, and the coaching staff has already recognized the fact that they are nothing more than mere bench sweeteners at this point. Now, with the 76ers needing more functional depth and variance in their lineups, those unnecessary moves are starting to haunt them.
As currently constructed, this 76ers team can be very monotonus. They have too many players who play the same way, albeit in different offerings, and this has not allowed the coaching staff to get more creative when it comes to handling matchups and putting together lineups that can throw a wrench on their opponents’ tactical game plans.
Signing Kyle Lowry and Eric Gordon will come back to haunt the 76ers soon
For the purpose he has on this group, Lowry is actually a productive individual. However, his only missive with the 76ers resembles that of an assistant coach’s. As such, the front office should have just tried convincing Lowry not to take up a roster spot.
Obviously, that is much easier said than done, so they probably warrant some grace in that. However, they made it worse by giving Gordon another one-year deal. An undersized wing who is only a one-trick pony at this juncture, he offers absolutely nothing in any other facet of the game. His veteran leadership, if at all felt, is redundant given that the 76ers are not exactly lacking a tenured voice.
Moving forward, the front office has to seriously consider parting with at least one of these veterans. Trade season is officially here, and the 76ers now have ample opportunities to patch up the holes that still surround the roster. Their largely positive start, after all, is not yet one ripe for promotion toward contention.
Lowry and Gordon are respected veterans around the league, but the 76ers have no business playing the role of retirement home. They have profusely manifested time and time again that they are trying to win now, so they must act like it.