The Philadelphia 76ers are just beginning a crucial offseason after another disappointing playoff performance where they were bounced by the Knicks in the opening round. Philly has made the postseason seven straight years, but has not been to the conference finals since 2001. They have cap space this summer, and Daryl Morey vowed to make changes. Expect several current 76ers to be gone, but how do they build a title contender?
Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey are a strong start. If Morey plans on adding a third star, Philadelphia will be forced to remake their entire roster. Their two building blocks and head coach Nick Nurse feel like the only ones who are safe. Tobias Harris leads the list of players certain to be gone this summer.
Harris is an unrestricted free agent who never lived up to his massive four-year $180 million contract with the Sixers. He tenured ended with zero points in their Game 6 loss to the Knicks, but it was likely over long before that moment. The 31-year-old will find a new home this summer, but where? Expect these teams to be interested.
5. Clippers
This is a wild card team. LA wants to bring back Paul George and James Harden, but can they run it back again? The Clippers have won just three playoff series since George and Kawhi Leonard teamed up in the 2019 offseason and haven’t won one since reaching the conference finals in 2021.
PG13 is expected to decline his player option and become an unrestricted free agent. He will draw plenty of interest on the open market.
If he decides to go elsewhere, the Clippers will be looking to upgrade their roster. Philly fans have grown frustrated with Harris, but there are not many 6’8 wings capable of averaging 17 points and shooting nearly 37 percent from 3-point range. He played for the Clippers for parts of two seasons before Kawhi and PG arrived and may return this summer.
This one is a long shot, but do not rule it out. Clippers owner Steve Balmer is never afraid to spend, and Tobias Harris is one of the best players available in a weak free-agent class.