5 former 76ers who would’ve turned Philly into true title contenders this season

4. Georges Niang

The 76ers need floor spacers. It is why they traded multiple draft picks to get Buddy Hield before the deadline. They are 26th in 3-pointers made this season and 20th in 3-point percentage. Having shooters to kick to after Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey have collapsed the defense would do wonders and could get the Sixers from 14th to the top ten in offensive rating, which is the hallmark of a title contender.

Niang spent the last two seasons in Philadelphia where he broke out. The 6’7 forward signed a two-year deal worth $6.7 million in 2021 before averaging 8.7 points and 2.5 rebounds in 21.1 minutes per game while shooting over 40 percent from 3-point range in the last two seasons combined. He parlayed his success into a three-year $25.5 million contract with the Cavaliers in the offseason.

He more than doubled his average annual salary in his latest deal. Niang’s minutes dipped in the playoffs with the Sixers, but his floor spacing is impactful. The 30-year-old struggles on defense and may never play a massive role in the postseason, but Philly would have more wins if they kept the Minivan on their roster.

Georges Niang is another role player the Philadelphia 76ers failed to hang onto, but the franchise has lost star talent too. Ones that would be making a massive impact if they returned to the team.