The Philadelphia 76ers have every bit of reason to look forward to the offseason. While their championship hopes may have been impaired this season, the franchise is geared to lord over the free agency market and potentially dictate what the NBA’s landscape looks life before next season begins.
Most players on the roster will enter the free agency market, giving the front office a lot of surveying to do to fill different hats. In this edition of start, bench, and cut, we look at some targets for the 76ers at every position.
Start, Bench, Cut: 76ers free agent targets at Small Forward
Start: Paul George
Easily the 76ers’ biggest pipe dream target in free agency, the front office has already been linked to the nine-time All-Star in case he leaves LA, perhaps if they stumble into another early playoff collapse. Still one of the league’s premiere wings, George remains a malleable two-way force who can create his own shot, fill in the gunner role, function as a secondary table-setter and play and defend multiple positions.
Bench: DeMar DeRozan
There hasn’t been much said about the prospect of DeRozan joining Philly in particular, but unless Chicago eludes reason once again, the six-time All-Star has little reason to stick with a middling franchise that could start from scratch. While his fit may not be as sexy, DeRozan would be a welcome addition to a 76ers team that is pretty wanting on offensive variance.
Cut: Gordon Hayward
All hopes of Gordon Hayward re-upping his value waned as his play with the Oklahoma City Thunder has been nothing short of disappointing. Nevertheless, the former All-Star touts a useful all-around game that could be unlocked better elsewhere, but his age and and injury history should be enough to make the 76ers seek safer options.
Start, Bench, Cut: 76ers free agent targets at Power Forward
Start: Obi Toppin
Obi Toppins’ move from New York to Indiana was the best thing that happened to him early in his career. Now a solid rotation piece for the Pacers, the former lottery pick is averaging 10.1 points per game on 56.6 percent shooting overall, which includes an impressive 39.9 percent rate from downtown. However, with Indy having a logjam in the frontcourt, Toppin could be a flight risk, and the 76ers should keep tabs on the 26-year-old
Bench: Taurean Prince
The 76ers will soon have a dearth of 3-and-D forwards with most of their current ones potentially leaving this summer. An inexpensive player they can zoom in on to fill such shoes is Taurean Prince, a rangy tweener who can capably defend multiple positions and be a factor offensively with his sneaky three-point shooting.
Cut: Jeff Green
Veteran commodities in the power forward position are not as appealing nowadays, though Jeff Green is quite the aberration, having found a way to still be a productive role player deep into this thirties. Having said that, Philadelphia should try to get younger, not older in the frontcourt, as they have too many openings moving forward that should be filled with youthful infusion.
Start, Bench, Cut: 76ers free agent targets at Center
Start: Andre Drummond
Easily the most attractive option for teams in want of backup big men, Andre Drummond should have no shortage of suitors in free agency. Probably the league’s most potent rebounder when he’s on the floor, the former All-Star is still a maniac on the boards and in the paint despite his more limited servings of court time.
Bench: Jalen Smith
Indiana will always fly under the radar, so it would probably surprise many to find out that Jalen Smith has been one of the most efficient scorers in the league off the bench. The Pacers have given him more liberty to roam and pick his spots in their radioactive offense. The result is a career-year for the 24-year-old to the tune of 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds on a staggering 60.5 percent shooting overall and an eye-popping 44.1 percent clip from rainbow country.
Cut: Mason Plumlee
Mason Plumlee remains a serviceable veteran who can anchor second units with his rare blend physicality on defense and headiness on offense, but his injury history is a bit of a turn-off — a potent game-changer that could affect his shot at getting a longer contract given the attractive options in his position on the market.
Start, Bench, Cut: 76ers free agent targets at Shooting Guard
Start: Buddy Hield
Despite slowing down after a hot start in Philadelphia, the front office should strongly consider re-signing Buddy Hield this offseason. He remains a top-five gravity generator in the NBA, and his game has more layers other than his voluminous and efficient three-point shooting that fit the 76ers’ stylings to a tee.
Bench: Grayson Allen
One of the most elite role players in the league this season, Grayson Allen has solidified himself as a vital cog on the Phoenix Suns’ star-studded roster. Shooting a blistering 47.9 percent from three-point land, Allen is a perfect low-usage off-guard who tries hard on defense, keeps the ball moving, and constantly punishes sagging defenders.
Cut: Eric Gordon
There’s still appeal to Eric Gordon’s volume three-point shooting, but there’s little reason for the 76ers to pursue a declining 35-year-old when there are much more younger options on the market. Snagging him will not be the worst outcome, but it would probably cause some brows to be raised when the likes of Hield and Allen are available for taking with the front office’s airy pocket.
Start, Bench, Cut: 76ers free agent targets at Point Guard
Start: Jrue Holiday
While a pipe dream at this juncture, there probably is a small crack that can be pried open if the Boston Celtics disappoint this postseason. Holiday will be looking at perhaps his last big payday, and should the 76ers fail to nab Paul George, the one-time champion would be a hell of an addition, as he’s the perfect running mate to Tyrese Maxey in the backcourt and a pretty desirable third fiddle to any team with title aspirations.
Bench: Tyus Jones
We’re sounding like a broken record at this point, but Philly will most likely pursue Tyus Jones should they shift their MO to pursuing high-end complementary players instead. Still the most efficient facilitator in the league, Jones will be a huge help for the team on the playmaking department to free Maxey from some of his table-setting reps.
Cut: Spencer Dinwiddie
Spencer Dinwiddie will be a relatively expensive get despite the fact that he’s been rather inefficient as an offensive lead in the last couple of years. His skill set has a lot of overlaps with Maxey, and he has too much pull to be plunged into a much smaller role. Ultimately, his projected on-court value for the 76ers is far from commensurate to his expected price tag.