Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Paul Reed, and Ricky Council IV were the only players Morey mentioned in his news
conference at the end of the season as the only ones likely to return. A new contract for Maxey, a restricted free
agent, will finally be obtained, while Reed and Council are now under contracts that are not entirely assured. The
Sixers have plenty of financial space to improve their lineup because Embiid is now the only player on the books with
a guaranteed contract.
As much as Philly needs to add more 16-game players, especially on the wings, it doesn’t mean replacing the
supporting group completely. There are several good players to keep on new contracts in comparable or reduced
responsibilities. However, concurrently, there are some that should not worry about failing.
The 76ers have a lot of free agents that would be great to sign, but they should give priority to these three.
The primary factor contributing to the James Harden trade’s immediate value was Batum, who was a veritable
blessing for the 76ers. The Sixers should make sure he plays for them again if he decides to play in the NBA, which is
uncertain given his wife’s statement from the previous offseason that he intends to retire following this summer’s
Olympics.
In crucial situations, such as the play-in game against the Miami Heat, the seasoned wing guarded the team’s best
perimeter player (and occasionally its star centers). He was frequently complimented for having the greatest passing
on the team and his ability to shoot threes, even when moving and with little dip in his release, made him the ideal
supporting player for the two stars.
Batum ought to return, but he ought to see less action than he did in the last campaign. His birthday is in December,
and during the previous season, he struggled with multiple injuries that caused him to miss up to nine games in a
row. Increasing his minute count to the upper teens or low 20s and and using his outstanding talent while keeping
him fresh will be achieved by making him one of the first substitutes off the bench.
The Sixers can still rely heavily on Batum, but not to the same extent as they did last season. Philly should make
every effort to retain him for what would amount to a one-year contract if he chooses to play one more season.
It appeared as though Payne was only being used as a contract-matching vehicle to let Patrick Beverley join the
Milwaukee Bucks and earn the Sixers a future second-round draft selection when he originally arrived in
Philadelphia. But Payne was really good when he did get to play, especially in the postseason.
Payne is a little player, but he can still have an effect in huge situations and play 15 to 20 minutes a night. His agility,
skill at floating, and capacity to score off movement make him an excellent backup for Maxey. He makes the most of
his small physique as a team defender, working hard to create plays off the ball and rotating well. He’s a great
presence in the locker room and exudes an equally optimistic and enthusiastic mood.
Even though it’s not a multi-year contract, Payne is likely due for a raise after agreeing to a minimum contract in the
previous offseason. Although they have other priorities, the Sixers ought to attempt to keep Payne if the deal is
acceptable. They will require an additional perimeter.
other than Maxey as a ball-handler, so why not stick with the man who has already proven to be a solid backup?
As a minimum-contract signee, Oubre provided the Sixers with far more than anyone could have imagined. He was
effective in many situations, particularly during the playoffs, thanks to his athleticism, and he was a good starting
and bench player. Although he didn’t score well, he lit up the scoreboard when he got hot.
Even if Oubre is still useful to Philly, it would be ideal to use him as a backup or emergency starter. Even if Embiid
isn’t playing, he still provides some rim pressure and strong defense both on and off the ball, despite his poor three-
point shooting. In Embiid’s absence, he made a respectable 37.6 percent of his long-range shots. He demonstrated
moments of playmaking off of his drives, increasing his assists per game as the season progressed, even though his
decision-making may occasionally stifle the offense.
Finding out how much Oubre’s next deal is worth will be intriguing. He definitely increased his stock again, but it’s
still unclear how much a team thinks he can repeat his success with the Sixers. It would be wise business to keep
Oubre on the bench for two or three years at a cost of about $8 million annually. According to Morey, this is exactly
how things work in the NBA and the Sixers won’t be able to retain every one of their free agents. Gamers will be
presented with more money, a bigger role, or both, and sign somewhere else.
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For example, it would be good for Philadelphia to have KJ Martin around for depth. But, the extremely gifted 23-
year-old may receive a larger salary and a more prominent role from another squad. Martin is probably not going to
pass up such a chance if it comes up. He can contribute greatly with his smart passing and adaptable defense,
particularly if he resumes his three-point shooting as he did with the Houston Rockets.
After missing the whole 2024 season, Robert Covington’s knee problem is concerning. He’s also getting older—he
will turn 34 during the upcoming season. But because of his willingness to shoot threes and excellent defensive
playmaking, he would be great to have even if he was content to be on the bench. If he hadn’t missed so many games,
his career-high 3.9 steal percentage from the previous season would have topped the NBA. That petrol tank still has
some gas in it.
De’Anthony Melton also struggled with injuries, which caused him to miss the most of the season. Given that he is
only 25 years old and has overcome many setbacks, there will undoubtedly be several suitors for him. It would be
difficult for the Sixers to lose him after trading for him in the first round, but that isn’t good enough justification to
give him a big contract. It wouldn’t be an inexcusable sin to lose an undersized wing, particularly one who has back
issues and finds it difficult to finish near the rim.
