1. Cedi Osman could be the Batum replacement the 76ers need
While not necessarily an intolerable exit, Nicolas Batum’s shocking departure takes away a cerebral connector for the 76ers. His numbers suggest pretty replaceable production, but in practice, the Frenchman was such a perfect glue guy on both ends for a team that lacked composure in the half-court for the most part.
Batum’s basketball IQ, connective passing, and three-point shooting will be missed, but a nice pivot for Philly would be Cedi Osman, who is now likely to find a new home this summer after spending the previous campaign as a key bench piece for Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs.
While the Spurs were terrible last season, Osman actually played well all year long. His defensive miscues aside, he’s a terrific off-ball operator who’s particularly adept at finding holes to exploit against opposing defenses with his precise cutting and above-average three-point shooting. He’s also a good passer, and should fit within a 76ers team dynamic that needs smoothening at the edges.