After signing free agent Caleb Martin to a bargain deal, the Philadelphia 76ers have now created a very formidable starting unit that should easily have them in championship talks next season. The franchise has undoubtedly risen as the summer’s undisputable winners as they prep for what should be a more successful campaign this time around.
The offseason is still pretty much on its initial phase, though, leaving the 76ers with a of time to continue making moves and improving the roster, even at the margins. Alas, here are three moves the team must still make moving forward.
3. The 76ers should invest in backcourt depth
Philadelphia is pretty set at point guard with Most Improved Player and All-Star Tyrese Maxey manning the role next season, but the team is relatively shallow in the backcourt. Signing Eric Gordon and drafting Jared McCain were nice pivots at only a little expense, but neither are floor generals. Ricky Council IV seems poised to rise to the plate, but the team has no insurance other than the youngster.
Put simply, the 76ers need a point guard to round out the backcourt. De’Anthony Melton is now off to a new team while Cameron Payne is facing off-court issues. Puzzlingly, Kyle Lowry remains available, and hesitations about his ability to still be a key role player at his age are probably valid despite his positive showing in the latter part of last season.
Philly is already lacking reliable passers, something exacerbated by the exit of their quasi-playmakers and connectors. Fortunately, there are still a slew of floor generals available in the open market, and the 76ers should definitely strike the iron while still hot.
Realistic Targets: Kyle Lowry, Markelle Fultz, Dennis Smith Jr., Devonte’ Graham
2. Philly needs rangier bodies at forward
Signing Paul George and Caleb Martin and re-upping Kelly Oubre Jr. are pretty solid moves for a team that lost its entire forward rotation last season, but it’s far from enough. The 76ers need to have a deeper cast in the position, and they need players who offer length to fit into Nick Nurse’s switchy defensive schemes.
Between Tobias Harris, Nicolas Batum, and Robert Covington, Philadelphia lost three players who stood at least 6’8”. George may fit that archetype, but their other in-house options don’t. Oubre is a more offensive-oriented wing, and Martin, while more than serviceable defensively, struggles against opponents with more brawn.
Similar to the point guard market, the list of forwards still available for plucking is also quite long, even at this juncture. Even better, most players with the same billing in the free agent pool are veterans who would probably be warm to the diea of signing for the veteran’s minimum.
Realistic Targets: Marcus Morris Sr., Jae Crowder, Robert Covington, Cedi Osman, Reggie Bullock
1. The 76ers should try to go younger at the margins
Compared to previous years, Philadelphia isn’t riding on the back of aging players. Aside from the 34-year-old Paul George and the 35-year-old Eric Gordon, all of their rotation players are either in the middle of their primes or just approaching their peak form.
Daryl Morey and company should let that trend continue. The 76ers don’t necessarily have the most sturdiest players from an injury standpoint, and investing on fresh legs should serve them well both in the short and long run. There are still a lot of younger commodities in free agency who can function as depth insurance and reclamation projects for Philly.
The team still has a handful of roster spots to fill out, and tendering those to young guns looking for a fresh start or role realignment would be a wise and cost-friendly way to maximize what’s left of their financial leg room. The 76ers are built upon a very moldable core anyway, making them an ideal destination for those in want of an opportunity to play and contribute when needed.
Realistic Targets: Kira Lewis Jr., KJ Martin, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Jordan Nwora