With the NBA Finals featuring two teams that have massively benefited from adopting a more modern and holistic approach to team-building, teams like the Philadelphia 76ers should start replicating the same approach that is rapidly becoming the new, winnable trend in the NBA.
As a result, the 76ers are now more incentivized than ever to make a soft pivot and start rectifying the mistakes they authored themselves. Fortunately, the offseason will officially begin in a couple of weeks, giving the front office a much-needed impetus to kickstart efforts to rehabilitate the team’s current state ahead of the upcoming seasons.
For now, Philadelphia is in a wait-and-see mode. Most rumors involving them have swirled around the nearing 2025 NBA Draft, but the front office has also been caught up in some purported ventures aside from the June 25-26 festivities. It’s the season of trade rumors, after all, and in that respect, the 76ers have definitely not shied away from the limelight.
Herb Jones bidding war has the 76ers sinking fast
With the Pelicans putting everything on the table this offseason, teams are flocking around New Orleans just to see which players could become realistic gets for them this summer. One name that has gotten tossed around pretty often is Herb Jones, whom the 76ers are expected to make a play for.
Unfortunately, it seems like Philly is not even considered as one of the favorites to land one of the league’s best defensive players. Bovada just put out the betting odds for the team most likely to acquire Jones from New Orleans, but the 76ers are nowhere to be found.
While we cannot just blindly follow betting odds as definitive guideposts, there is a reason as to why the team is currently not favored to snag such a prized trade commodity. As you already know, striking a deal with the 76ers right now presupposes a huge assumption of risk, and it is unlikely that a team out there will be willing to absorb such concession.
Putting forth an offer without letting go of their desired returneed would be nearly impossible for the 76ers. But even if they do let loose a little, the Pelicans do not have a compelling reason to feel incentivized about dealing with Philly. New Orleans is clearly trying to make a soft reboot on the margins, and taking on, say, Paul George, while also needing to part with other salary fillers, seems counterintuitive.
Unless the Philadelphia 76ers front office get to pull off some incredible, yet admittedly farfetched financial gymnastics, they will likely be out of the running for Herb Jones soon, which is unfortunate given how much he can supply to the team on the defensive end.