The Philadelphia 76ers are entering the 2024 offseason with just Joel Embiid and Paul Reed on the roster under contract, with everyone else due to either switch teams or get new deals this summer. While the 76ers fancy themselves as major free-agency contenders, Keith Pompey reveals that the team might be looking to re-sign their veterans instead of looking for a new splash.
“A source said Nico Batum, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Kyle Lowry are the free agents the team most likely would like to re-sign. Not only do they mesh well with All-Stars Maxey and Joel Embiid, they might not command a lot of money in the free-agent market.”
76ers’ GM Daryl Morey also revealed that the team is excited about re-signing Maxey, who made his first All-Star appearance last season.
“We’re definitely looking at fit. I think one of the things we’re excited about is Tyrese [Maxey]. … So we definitely look at fit. We’re not really focused, necessarily, on the exact bucket, whether it’s max, role player, or whatever.”
The GM also opened up on why he’s leaning towards re-signing these valuable players given the challenge GMs face at finding players on good contracts to make a massive impact.
“In those situations, I like having the challenge. To me, finding guys that are overlooked. The Kelly Oubres of the world. Getting a Kyle Lowry. Guys like that. I like that challenge. I think that’s something that the front office is very good at. So I think, yeah, compared to — basically you’re like ‘Have less good players, but more role players.’ I think, generally, the history of the NBA would favor — even with the new CBA — get the studs you can, then put the work and the onus on the front office to find the players that fit around it.”
The 76ers’ role-players proved to be valuable in the months they spent with Joel Embiid recovering from injury. Oubre was a late-September minimum signing who averaged 15.4 points and 5.0 rebounds this season.
Lowry came over from the buyout market after being waived by the Hornets, averaging 8.0 points and 4.6 assists on the 76ers as a dependable veteran point guard playing in his hometown.
Nicolas Batum joined the team as part of the James Harden trade, averaging 5.5 points and 4.2 rebounds on the 76ers and proving his value as a veteran role-player.
Maxey is the true star they need to re-sign this summer, averaging 25.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 6.2 assists as he was named an NBA All-Star.
Should The 76ers Shake Their Roster Up?
From what we saw this season, the 76ers aren’t good without Joel Embiid. They had a 16-27 record without Embiid this season, proving that Maxey can’t lead this team to a lot of winning at this point in his career. This strategy works if Embiid stays healthy, otherwise, the 76ers could fall flat on their face for bringing back a roster that was a first-round exit.
The 76ers have had their eyes on major targets such as Jimmy Butler and Paul George this summer, but both deals could still be facilitated, with George needing a sign-and-trade while Butler requiring a normal trade before the 76ers invariably hand him a max extension to avoid him walking as a free agent next season.
Even if they bring a bulk of the rotation back, they need to add another top name just to keep the 76ers afloat if Embiid needs to miss time. They fell all the way to the Play-In Tournament without Embiid in the lineup, so a secondary star to carry the load and be a supporting piece with Embiid in the lineup is required.
Paul George could fit the bill, but it’ll be a challenge for the 76ers to successfully bring all their valuable role-players back while also making a move for George.
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