With a slew of players already hitting the market, the gods of temptation are once again hovering above the Philadelphia 76ers.
The 2025 NBA Draft, which will mark the official start of the offseason, is inching closer. The 76ers have a very important choice to make therein with the third overall pick — at least for now — but that will only form a single entry their long checklist this summer.
If the team is truly serious about getting back into championship contention, the 76ers will have to do much more than just relying on better luck in the health department and making the proverbial marginal signings in free agency. One way or the other, it is incumbent upon the front office to be much more resourceful and address the gaping holes on the roster.
Having said that, Philly will have to be very prudent moving forward with their payroll already muddled as it is. Hence, they must finally buck their trend of playing the name game, and to test if they are ready to abandon that disposition, this divisive star will be the perfect catalyst to show if the franchise has learned its lesson.
Russell Westbrook will be the perfect litmus test for the 76ers front office
Russell Westbrook, who is coming off a relatively productive, yet equally cloudy campaign with the Nuggets, is reportedly hitting the market. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the nine-time All-Star has declined his player option to test the free agency waters.
The 76ers have not registered interest in the former All-Star, but given Daryl Morey and his crew’s modus operandi over the last few years, where they have routinely shown a puzzling penchant for going after the bigger names despite questionable fits, it would not be shocking if the squad finds itself in the loop for Westbrook.
This is even more imaginable after Philadelphia was technically booted out of contention to secure Chris Paul in free agency. The 76ers still need a playmaking punch, and their options are not looking very abundant at present.
Still, Philly should not even dare to entertain the thought of going after Westbrook, whose dangling skill set requires a very particular type of roster construction to render functional. The 76ers have no reason to adjust to a role player, and despite his pedigree as a former Most Valuable Player, it would be a mistake for Morey and company to take a flier on him.
Russell Westbrook will most likely still find a home in the NBA for next season, but the Philadelphia 76ers should inhibit themselves from such a race. Hopefully, they prove to everyone that they have finally learned their lesson.