With the 2026 NBA Draft now over, the Philadelphia 76ers can look forward to dipping their fingers into the trade market and free agency. Normally, the front office would look to make a huge splash this offseason, but it seems like they will sit this summer out in that regard. One indicator, you say? Well, the team is not even part of the rumored bidding war for Kawhi Leonard.
This may have been glossed over for a bit now, but the 76ers were reported to have registered strong interest in the two-time Finals Most Valuable Player shortly before the trade deadline. Obviously, that did not pan out, but that tidbit was reflective of the front office's attitude at that juncture, which was to pivot from their waning Big Three. What changed, then? Obviously, Daryl Morey is no longer at the helm.
Morey was the one who was rumored to have been advocated for their quiet interest in Leonard, who had an outstanding individual campaign for the Clippers last season. He easily proved that he is still one of the best players in the league when healthy, nearly dragging LA into the playoffs in the jampacked West despite a ghastly 6-21 start to their year.
The 76ers are no longer in the Kawhi Leonard trade sweepstakes following Daryl Morey's exit
Leonard may still be performing like an All-NBA player, but the market seems to be brewing with regard to his possible move to another franchise. The Raptors and the Spurs, both of his former teams, are reportedly eyed by his camp for his next landing spot, and Toronto in particular seems to be especially interested in a reunion.
The 76ers are nowhere to be found in the Kawhi rumor mill, which speaks volumes as to how the new-look front office intends to operate this summer. Mike Gansey, who replaced Morey, has repeatedly indicated that the team's nucleus will stay the same, foreclosing the possibility that they will be willing to sell the farm to get into the bidding war for Leonard.
The Gansey-led 76ers brain trust seems to be playing it safe for now, and understandably so. Morey was so fond of pursuing flashy moves that bordered on arbitrary, and it cost the team a lot of financial flexibility. Now, the team seems to be taking things slow, which is probably the best avenue to take given that this team, when healthy, is still laden with potential and a high ceiling as a collective.
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