To get us through the late-Summer doldrums of the NBA, we’re reviewing teams from around the league and how their offseasons went.
Philadelphia 76ers
Key Additions:
Paul George
Caleb Martin
Eric Gordon
Andre Drummond
Kenyon Martin Jr.
Reggie Jackson
Jared McCain (R)
Adem Bona (R)
Key Losses:
Tobias Harris
Nicolas Batum
Buddy Hield (wait, this says key losses…)
Paul Reed
De’Anthony Melton
Cam Payne
Offseason Review and 2024-25 Season Outlook:
It was a busy summer in Philadelphia as the 76ers entered the offseason with more than $60M in cap space and used it to remake over half their roster in their quest to surround Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey with the talent necessary to finally get them past the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Paul George signed a 4-year $212M contract to give the 76ers a new hopeful Big 3, and while we’ve seen a lot of “Big 3s” in Embiid’s time with the 76ers, this one – on paper – seems like the most logical three-way fit, in terms of both position and fit. We’ll see if the 76ers have buyer’s remorse in the later years of George’s new deal – the Los Angeles Clippers sure didn’t want to give George that long and large a contract – but for now, this seems an obvious win-now move that gives the 76ers a chance to match up star talent for star talent against anyone in the East.
George was the big move, but the 76ers also added a ton of depth around their new big three. Signing Caleb Martin to a $32M, 4-year contract looks like a steal, especially since Martin reportedly turned down a $65M, 4-year deal with the Miami Heat, his former team, at the start of free agency. He could fill in ideally as a low-usage two-way fit in the starting lineup. The 76ers also added in Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon, Kenyon Martin, and Reggie Jackson to new deals. They also gave Kelly Oubre Jr. and Kyle Lowry new contracts. Compare those Key Additions and Key Losses columns again – did the 76ers not improve in nearly every direct comparison? Nick Nurse is facing some interesting lineup choices, but this sure looks like an improved team, both in terms of star power and depth.
Finally, Tyrese Maxey signed a 5-year, $204M extension with the squad, an obvious win for everyone involved. Maxey has made massive strides every year of his career, and capped off his 4th season in the league by averaging 25.9 points and 6.2 assists while winning the Most Improved Player award.
Why We Hate Them:
The only thing that Joel Embiid gets more of than free throws is chances to pair up with star players, and the 76ers didn’t lose out on depth at the expense of adding George. They’re not hardcapped at either the first or second apron, and they still have picks they can trade if they need to make moves down the line. And while the success of this offseason will depend on George and the other veteran additions, I hate how much I like the 76ers draft. McCain and Adem Bona were two of my favorite draftees of the cycle, and I’d bet on them both ending up as long-term contributors for a team that manages to keep adding promising young talent in the draft.
Philly got better. Philly is in the East. Philly got better by taking players from the West. Wish Kings had considered Paul Reed.
I hope the smash Buddy when they play his new team.
They added Paul George and swapped the bench for the same-ish level of talent. They just need Embiid to stay healthy, which he hasn’t been able to do.
Agree that Buddy is a key loss. Addition by subtraction.
I sure like Maxey – fun player to watch. The East’s De’Aaron Fox.
The loss of Tobias Harris – the Harrison Barnes of the East (though Harris has nicer numbers than Harrison. They are about 6 weeks apart in age) will create a void for Phila. that I don’t believe PG-13 can fill. Who’s guarding bigs on this team besides the Big
French U.S. Camaroonian?I also think that Nic Batum will be sorely missed.
They are going to have to rely on Kelly Oubre, Jr a lot and talent wise, no question he’s up to the task, but there’s a reason he’s on his 5th team in 9 seasons (and teams where he was featured but no longer plays for). Maybe he’s finally matured. Maybe.
Overall, The 76ers went down, not up with this roster, IMO. Monte McNair > Daryl Morey? (I think so). 76ers won 47 last season and were 7th. I don’t see that this season (though other Miami, I don’t know who replaces them at 8)
To be fair, I think Philly was in 2nd or 3rd before Embiid got injured.
Not a lot of summer time chatty house activity. So- not appropriate for this post but……….
Would it be better for the Kings to keep Huerter’s (potential) shooting prowess or would it be better to move him for help at 3/4? i.e. length, defense, rim protection.
Stated in other ways: 1.- is it more important to promote the offense vs. the defense or 2. keep Huerter and add marginal 3/4 guys. or 3. jettison Huerter who has value for the needed size and length at 3/4.
I do not believe that Jalen is the answer.
Opening night vs. T-puppies. Yikes.
Tough call on Huerter. I know he played well with the starters his 1st season, and somewhat in the 2nd season, but that lineup is different now with Derozan being higher usage than Barnes, which means less shots for Huerter. Huerter is also a better movement shooter than set shooter, mainly coming off screens and DHO, so that might cause some issues with the flow.
I think coming in with Lyles when Derozan goes to the bench would be helpful, slide Keegan to the 3. That would give Huerter a chance to shoot more.
I also like the idea of having a bigger guy that can play 3/4 or 4/5 (Isaiah Stewart comes to mind). The team needs size, shooting, and defense. Huerter just has the shooting aspect of that. Stewart would also allow the team to play Keegan at the 3 more when DeRozan is off the court, and even have a lineup of Fox/DeRozan/Murray/Lyles or Stewart/Sabonis. More options, I think.
Pros and Cons for keeping or moving Huerter. I do think the team is looking to get back to having a prolific offense this season. Hopefully the league does allow the more physical style of defense to be played, which really seemed to fit the King’s style last season.
The League did help the Kings defense. More than it helped other teams defense.
To put some names to this (and these are not the only names)- would you rather have Hueter or Stewart, C. Johnson, DFS, or Kuzma or J. Collins or someone like that.
Or would you like to keep Huerter and add the functional equivalent of Kessler Edwards (I know he is gone).
This is the O vs. the D argument.
But right now, Kings still small, have 7 guards and need back up 3/4.
Badge Legend