The Philadelphia 76ers are still awaiting the climactic decision of LeBron James, but they cannot solely bank on the possibility of him choosing them and call it a day. As such, the front office needs to have a solid contingency plan if the megastar avoids them in free agency. Fortunately for them, there is another star in the open market who is widely available for taking –– DeMar DeRozan.
DeRozan being cut opens up countless options for the forward
DeRozan was waived by the Kings not too long ago,catapulting the former All-Star into the free agency market. So far, there has been little traction on his status, making him an available option for teams in contention like the 76ers, who are one of the few teams that still have a use for his gifts on the hardwood.
The six-time All-Star is already pushing 37 years old, but he still managed to turn in a productive campaign in Sacramento this past season. He averaged 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per outing for the Kings, draining nearly 50 percent of his shots. His scoring has been at its lowest in more than a decade, but his efficiency and secondary playmaking could prove to be especially appealing for Philly.
The 76ers could go after DeMar DeRozan if LeBron James spurns them
Of course, DeRozan cannot possibly be profiled as a direct alternative or replacement for LeBron. The latter projects to be a clear-cut starter and the main floor general for the 76ers if he chooses them. On the other hand, the former is an iffy fit in the starting unit, which makes him a candidate for the sixth-man role in theory.
The 76ers still need some scoring depth. Despite already having Anfernee Simons and Labaron Philon Jr. off the bench, the team can actually afford to have DeRozan on board to add to their influx of shot creators, given their lack of a real scoring option in the frontcourt anyway outside of Joel Embiid.
DeRozan's playmaking is also underrated. While his assist numbers were down this past season, that is a result of him having to defer more than ever. With a more streamlined role in the second unit, DeRozan could basically function as their nominal point guard, given that both Simons and Philon are score-first combo guards.
The 76ers have to make the roster as foolproof as possible, and given that they no longer have a lot of money to spare, an inexpensive star free agent like DeMar DeRozan is a great player to pursue. LeBron remains the top option for obvious reasons, but the former All-Star is a shabby choice if the megastar says no to them.
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