The Philadelphia 76ers intend to go big-game hunting this offseason in their quest to win an NBA championship that has eluded them for so long. According to team insider Keith Pompey, the 76ers are targeting the likes of LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, Paul George, and Brandon Ingram.
“The 76ers want a ‘max salary player from a pool’ that includes Paul George, LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, and Brandon Ingram, per Keith Pompey.”
The 76ers are projected to have around $55 million in practical cap space this offseason, so they can offer a max contract to a star. To go with all that money, whoever joins would also have a great shot at winning, as they have Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey (who is a restricted free agent) among their ranks. Those two factors make the 76ers an attractive destination for any free agent.
LeBron, who averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game in 2023-24, could become a free agent if he opts out of his $51.4 million player option for 2024-25 with the Los Angeles Lakers. The 39-year-old is expected to do just that, but I believe he will re-sign with the Lakers.
As for George, he has a $48.7 million player option for 2024-25 with the Los Angeles Clippers. While LeBron is expected to remain in LA, there is a lot more uncertainty surrounding George, who averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game this season.
The Clippers signed Kawhi Leonard to a three-year, $152.4 million extension in January and it was assumed that George would get one soon after. That didn’t happen, however, and now there appears to be a real chance he will leave.
It has also been reported that the 76ers are a major threat to sign George this summer. He would be a great fit alongside Embiid and Maxey, and I think they would be one of the best teams in the East with him.
The Clippers, though, seem to be hoping they can prevent that Big 3 from forming. According to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the franchise is determined to keep both George and James Harden. Only time will tell if they succeed in that quest.
While George and James could potentially hit free agency this summer, Butler and Ingram cannot. They are still under contract and would have to be acquired via trade.
It has been reported that Butler, who averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game, wants a max extension this offseason. The Miami Heat, though, don’t seem interested in giving him that deal just yet.
Should that stance lead to Butler forcing a trade from the Heat, the 76ers are open to offering him that max extension. They made the mistake of parting ways with him in 2019 and this would be quite the reunion. I don’t think Butler is going to ask out this summer, though, and the Heat obviously haven’t shown any interest in trading him.
That’s not the case when it comes to Ingram and the New Orleans Pelicans, however, as a parting of ways looks nearly certain. The only question seems to be which new jersey will he be wearing next season.
Ingram would be a nice addition to the 76ers and he averaged 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game this season. A potential issue here, though, and in any Butler trade, is that I am not sure what the 76ers can offer.
Just some draft picks won’t be enough and the only players with great value on that roster would be Embiid and Maxey. The 76ers are not going to be interested in parting with either, so I think free agency is really the only route they can go in, to land a big name.
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