The Philadelphia 76ers are out of the NBA playoffs in the first round following a Game 6 loss to the New York Knicks. Despite Joel Embiid dealing with a leg injury and even Bell’s Palsy, he averaged points and rebounds while Tyrese Maxey chipped in. It wasn’t enough, and the 76ers have to look at this summer for a chance to build a new roster.
Luckily, the 76ers will have a ton of cap space with only Embiid, Paul Reed, Jeff Dowtin, and Ricky Council IV on the roster this summer. With the 76ers also likely to sign Tyrese Maxey to a maximum deal, they can acquire one of the 10 best possible free agents this summer to create a superteam in the 2024-25 season.Â
1. LeBron James
2023-24 Season Statistics: 25.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 8.3 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Possible Salary Range: $45-$50 million, 2-year deal
It might only be a dream, but LeBron James with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey would dominate the Eastern Conference. Even if he will be 40 years old, James is a unique talent who can elevate the 76ers on and off the court. The question is: does James want to leave the Lakers?
We will ask that question all summer but until The King decides his future, there will be speculation. James belongs on a title contender no matter what, so the 76ers could be high on his list if his doubts about Embiid’s health end up putting him off.
2. Pascal Siakam
2023-24 Season Statistics:Â 21.7 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 4.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.3 BPG
Possible Salary Range:Â $35-$40 million, 4-year deal
Pascal Siakam and Joel Embiid would form a dominant duo on both ends of the court. We might have to wait and see what the Indiana Pacers do in the second round against the New York Knicks before speculating, but Siakam is one of the hottest commodities in free agency.
Not only can he score and rebound the ball well, he is an excellent defender and passer which makes him a perfect power forward in the modern NBA. If the 76ers can’t get LeBron James, they have to find a way to get Pascal Siakam and he will obviously ask for maximum money on a long-term deal.
3. Paul George
2023-24 Season Statistics: 22.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Possible Salary Range: $30-35 million, 3-year deal
The 76ers have been linked to Paul George because the fit is just right. George can space the floor, defend at an elite level, and also play a secondary or even third role at times. Alongside Embiid and Maxey, that makes this a perfect trio for the 76ers to try to create.
George has yet to sign an extension with the Los Angeles Clippers and the franchise seems to be done with trying to win around stars who are constantly injured. They have Kawhi Leonard for the long term but probably don’t want George there with the money he is demanding. In come the 76ers who can offer George up to $100 million for three years. Even if the 76ers will be very concerned about having two injury-prone stars, beggars can’t be choosers.
4. Klay Thompson
2023-24 Season Statistics: 17.9 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Possible Salary Range: $20-25 million, 3-year deal
Klay Thompson is still the best shooter available in free agency and the 76ers should try to go after him. He shot 38.7% from deep this season and posted 17.9 points per game, meaning he can be the third option as needed. Thompson will be aware that a pay cut has to be coming, and that fits well into the 76ers plans.
Simply adding Thompson won’t change the 76ers’ championship hopes, but he can be part of an excellent summer that could see the team rise in the East. Klay has had an incredible career in Golden State but it might be time for him to try a new path in the Eastern Conference alongside two star players.
5. DeMar DeRozan
2023-24 Season Statistics: 24.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 5.3 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.6 BPG
Possible Salary Range: $25-$28 million, 3-year deal
DeMar DeRozan can score with the best players in the league when it comes to pure isolation, something the 76ers will need come playoff time. Even as he approaches 35 years old, DeRozan will have at least two years left in the tank as a 20-PPG scorer which makes him a perfect third option.
He isn’t a slouch on defense either and the 76ers can boost their two-way play with DeRozan. The 76ers can probably add DeRozan and one elite shooter in the offseason to diversify their offense. Even if Embiid sits out with injuries during the regular season, having DeRozan and Maxey could be a blessing.
6. Miles Bridges
2023-24 Season Statistics: 21.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3.3 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Possible Salary Range: $14-$18 million, 3-year deal
The drop-off from DeMar DeRozan to Miles Bridges cuts some excitement, but that doesn’t make the latter a bad player. Bridges is very athletic, confident, and can add a different dynamic to the 76ers alongside Joel Embiid. While he won’t be a difference-maker alone, Bridges could signal a start to a better roster next year.
He isn’t a great shooter but can occupy the power-forward spot very well in other areas. Stopping Maxey and Bridges on the break won’t be easy, and the forward is only 26 years old so he has plenty of room for improvement.
7. Buddy Hield
2023-24 Season Statistics: 12.1 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.8 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Possible Salary Range: $17-$23 million, 3-year deal
Buddy Hield was on fire in Game 6, scoring 20 points on 66.7% from three, although he couldn’t prevent a series loss. In case the 76ers can’t convince Klay Thompson to join them, Hield could be an excellent backup option as a sharpshooter. He shot 38.6% from deep this season with the Pacers and 76ers, and he will always be able to make open threes.
If the 76ers get their priorities right and possibly get a third star, Hield could be the perfect complement in the starting lineup. He has improved defensively and is only 31 years old so he has at least four more years at an elite level when it comes to spacing the floor.
8. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
2023-24 Season Statistics: 10.1 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.6 BPG
Possible Salary Range: $15-$20 million, 3-year deal
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has a $15.4 million player option that he will almost certainly not pick up this summer. Instead, he will demand a four-year deal because he has proven to be a starting-caliber shooting guard for a championship team, once with the Lakers and last year with the Nuggets.
In case the shooting guard isn’t impressed with Denver’s offer, which might be likely, the 76ers could swoop in with a hefty contract offer. Caldwell-Pope shot 40.6% from deep this season and is an elite defender, making him a perfect target for Philadelphia.
9. D’Angelo Russell
2023-24 Season Statistics: 18.0 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 6.3 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Possible Salary Range: $18-$20 million, 3-year deal
The 76ers won’t be too fond of creating a backcourt that loves to score more than defend, but D’Angelo Russell could end up being a sneaky little pickup for them. He wasn’t great in the playoffs, once again, but that’s because he was the third option on the Lakers. With the 76ers, he could see a different role.
If Philly can grab a star ahead of Russell in free agency, he could be the final pickup toward a successful summer. Russell is very talented as a scorer and playmaker, and even with his inconsistencies, can be a threat on a title-contending team.
10. Malik Monk
2023-24 Season Statistics: 15.4 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 5.1 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.5 BPG
Possible Salary Range: $15-17 million, 4-year deal
Malik Monk was a contender for Sixth Man of the Year, but he lost out to Naz Reid. Monk is an energizer bunny off the bench and the 76ers could use a player who can come in and get points on the board. He might not be the perfect fit alongside Tyrese Maxey for defensive purposes, but he can certainly be the fourth-leading scorer for them.
If Monk wants to win a championship but staying in Sacramento isn’t the best bet for him, he could look at Philadelphia and what he can possibly do alongside a superstar like Embiid. For a 26-year-old guard, expect him to demand a four-year deal.
