The Philadelphia 76ers are preparing for a memorable NBA season going up against a number of Eastern Conference teams that are considered NBA title favorites. So it's only natural that some fans might be worried about the team's performance against top-tier opponents and the fact that teams like the Knicks or the Celtics have added extra firepower or kept their core intact.
The 76ers embarked on the season from a different starting line. They have been a brand-new team with a ton of potential star power in Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George. So it's only natural that they are entering the season with high expectations, despite the fact there are some concerns about Embiid's and George's durability through an 82-game season.
Knowing Daryl Morey and his tenacious effort to build a winner as fast as possible, it's always a possibility to explore ways to improve the team during the season. Therefore, it's a pretty early conversation to have, and we will have to wait and see how the team's will react as a group playing together for some time. There are potential candidates that will immediately raise the team's floor.
Philadelphia has an obvious weakness, missing a true scoring wing that can put the effort on both ends of the floor. Guerschon Yabusele arrived in the team as the cog that can cover the gap coming off the bench, but the 76ers remain a team that is more defensive-oriented. In addition to that, Yabusele has been utilized as a cog between 'four' and 'five' during the preseason.
Regardless, the 76ers might turn out to be in a position to make adjustments that will boost their chances and raise their floor substantially. They have draft capital to move around in potential trades, while they can easily put together one or two budget-friendly contracts in order to put forth a worthy offer for a valued player.
Philadelphia should bat an eye on the fluctuating situation in NBA organizations like the Nets, Wizards, Hornets and other rebuilding teams. A player that the organization should keep an eye on must be Washington Wizards sharpshooting forward, Corey Kispert.
Corey Kispert could be the floor-raiser the 76ers bench needs
Corey Kispert steadily became a starting-caliber player through his first three seasons in the NBA. The Gonzaga product is heading to the final year of his rookie deal, and he's going to be a restricted free agent next summer. Until then, he's still going to play at a high level with the Wizards, who are expected to be among the worst teams in the league.
Kispert is not a great fit for the Wizards' timeline, and the DC franchise might opt to capitalize on his value by requesting some extra picks to trade his expiring contract. Kispert might be a risky option considering that the 76ers are going to be required to pay him next summer, but the franchise is on course to compete for an NBA title and Morey might opt for another high risk-high-return decision.
Corey Kispert 20 points on 7-of-11
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) October 12, 2024
He’s a really nice player pic.twitter.com/fRjtH7fC93
As for his fit with the rest of the squad, Kispert is an excellent three-point shooter and cutter, primarily operating as an off-ball option. His abilities match well with the likes of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and even Paul George, who can operate pretty much on and off the ball. The sharpshooting guard can be a secondary offensive option when one of the team's superstars is sitting on the bench.
Last season, the Gonzaga product went for a career-high 13.4 points while shooting 6.0 threes per game on a 38.3% clip from beyond the arc. He registered a 62.0% TS% on a career-high 19.1 usage rating, as Washington was not afraid to rely on him in the offensive end far more often. Defense remained a weak spot for him, but the Wizards' bad overall play factored in the defensive shortcomings.
Kispert can easily become a leading figure for Philadelphia's veteran bench mob and keep the offense afloat until the starters make their way back to the lineup. He is one of the most underrated cutters in the league, and he might add an extra dimension to the 76ers' offense. Moreover, his fit with the rest of the personnel is excellent, so Philadelphia will definitely need his skill set in the postseason.
I really don't see why a contending team will not wish to have him in its squad if he becomes available. In any case, the 76ers might want to keep an eye on his play as the season progresses.