2. Wesley Matthews will only exacerbate a lurking 76ers problem
Philadelphia doesn’t really have the strongest armory of perimeter defenders right now. Save for Paul George and Caleb Martin, the team will have to do with players who are average on that end at best — not exactly an inspiring read for a 76ers team parading itself as a potential Boston Celtics slayer this upcoming season.
One veteran still available for taking who’s made a name for himself as a strong one-on-one defender is Wesley Matthews. However, opting for him would seem like a concession. He barely sniffed the court last season for Atlanta, has not shot three-pointers at an above league-average clip since 2020, and most jarringly, he only adds to a team-wide problem that should be mitigated as soon as possible.
Age is not really a strong suit of this squad, and taking on relatively unplayable veterans as depth insurances would be akin to dousing fire with oil. The 15-year veteran is fast approaching 38, and while he’s had a very respectable career, the 76ers should not be bannering themselves as a retirement home.