Philly Offseason

[KB20]

With the number 3 pick in-hand, a weak Eastern conference, and the most injury prone franchise cornerstone in the league, the Sixers have a very complicated and pivotal offseason ahead of them.

Draft Night Trade

Philadelphia Receives:
Herb Jones
#7 Overall Pick

New Orleans Receives:
Andre Drummond
Kelly Oubre
Jared Butler
#3 Overall Pick

Why for New Orleans - Primarily doing this to jump into the top 3 and have their pick of Edgecomb/Bailey/Johnson/Maluach. Drummond and Oubre are on expiring contracts and could be flipped for additional draft picks.


Draft

#7 - Kon Knueppel, SG Duke - Rumors that Philly could be interested in him at 3. Kon brings shooting, has flashed on-ball creation, and has the size to be at least a passable defender in the NBA.

#35 - Tyrese Proctor, PG Duke - Kon's backcourt mate joins the team as a deep bench guy behind Maxey and McCain.


Trade #2

Philadelphia Receives:
Michael Porter Jr.
Dario Saric
Zeke Nnaji
Julian Strawther

Denver Receives:
Paul George
Lonnie Walker

Why for Denver - They have two paths with MPJ this summer, try to trade him for multiple guys or hope they can package him with Zeke and Dario for a higher ceiling star. They've shown interest in PG in the past. This is a ceiling-raising move betting on PG's health and locks them into this team for the next 3 years with Jokic/AG/PG/Jamal all under contract. This definitely limits their spending flexibility but having been out of the second apron, this is the kind of all-in move, without sacrificing additional draft capital, that could pay huge dividends in the playoffs.


Free Agency

Resign Quentin Grimes - 4 Years $70M, starting at $15M (Bird Rights)
Resign Guerschon Yabusele - 2 Years $11M, starting at $5.7M (Taxpayer MLE)


2025-26 Philadelphia 76ers Opening Night Roster

5) Joel Embiid | Zeke Nnaji | Adem Bona
4) Michael Porter Jr. | Guerschon Yabusele | Dario Saric
3) Herb Jones | Justin Edwards | Julian Strawther
2) Quentin Grimes | Kon Knueppel | Ricky Council IV
1) Tyrese Maxey | Jared McCain | Tyrese Proctor

In a wide-open Eastern Conference, if this team is healthy, they are right there at the top with anyone. You are out of Paul George's contract, have added young talent, and improved spacing and defensive versatility on the perimeter. If this team shows serious Finals potential, then you have expiring contract of Saric, along with future draft capital to improve depth up front at the deadline. The team is a few million above the 1st apron with room to breath below the second.

Thoughts?

[youngcrev]

I think that's a fairly high end outcome for the Sixers off-season. Pretty much an amalgamation of what's been talked about on the Sixers board.

Paul George for MPJ is interesting. Not sure the economics of it works for Denver though, even if the fit is a good one (assuming he has a bounce back year).

Not sure how comfortable I feel giving Grimes that big of a deal. It's right on the borderline for me, particularly if they draft a guard. Bad money potential.

[Jojothewhale]

One quick note is that the Sixers have been attached to every possible name under the sun at 3 except Maluach. That’s just kind of the nature of this draft. I wouldn’t specifically read into any of it even if Kon does make some sense as a Morey target.

3 + salaries for Herb + 7 is the kind of deal I can’t rule out though. So even if I would prefer futures, I get it. It passes the sniff test.

You have MPJ on both sides of the Denver trade. I’m assuming that’s supposed to be PG going to Denver. I’m also assuming Denver wouldn’t do that. I’ve never liked MPJ even going back to college, so I understand I’m going to be in the minority that wants zero part of him in general. But 2 years shorter is a meaningful improvement for sure. From a basketball perspective, I like the PG risk for a Denver team trying to win now, but I know once again I’m in a tiny minority. From a financial one, I wouldn’t touch the contract.

Man, that’s a lot of Guards and/or one way Wings. Maxey, McCain, Jones, Kon, and Grimes all need real Minutes. They probably want to play Justin Edwards too. Then spending 35 on yet another Guard. It’s not like I would make a pick at 35 for fit, but Proctor is never going to see the floor in the next few years with this team barring another major trade. Maybe at least swap him out for Markovic? Or CMB instead of Kon? Or just move Grimes for a more traditional 4/5?

I have hopes for Bona as a bench Big, but making win now moves to form a roster with whatever you get out of Embiid and then Bona/MPJ/Yabu as your best rim protectors and rebounders just feels like you’re asking to be eaten alive by any team with size in a 7 game series. This team is going to give up 115 Points per 100 again if/when Embiid misses real time.

Ultimately, this feels like trying to straddle the win now and future positions. I’d really rather just take Tre or VJ at 3 than do all of this. Then you still have a glut of Guards, but at least you bought some star equity. With that being said, none of these are crazy. You’re trying to give everyone fair value, so I’ll say well done overall. I think Nuggets fans might not be as nice about it though.

[KB20]

Definitely a version of this where you just take Maluach at 7 if you're planning to resign Grimes. The 35th pick was a bit of a shot in the dark. Frankly, I don't love Proctor there. This roster is very crowded in the backcourt/on the wings with rotation guys we haven't seen in a winning context (Council, Edwards, Grimes, McCain, Butler). Not even taking into account Lonnie and Gordon.

[Jojothewhale]

Definitely a version of this where you just take Maluach at 7 if you're planning to resign Grimes. The 35th pick was a bit of a shot in the dark. Frankly, I don't love Proctor there. This roster is very crowded in the backcourt/on the wings with rotation guys we haven't seen in a winning context (Council, Edwards, Grimes, McCain, Butler). Not even taking into account Lonnie and Gordon.

Yeah, fair enough. I’m not one to argue against going BPA in the draft in all but the most extreme situations. You can pull on any of these strands and it comes together quite a bit more.

Council is close to a lock to be the odd man out there. Both sides seem done with the other and his deal is non-guaranteed.

[ProcessDoctor]

Wow this is pretty good. It's very pro-Sixers perspective from a non-Sixers fan.

I can see them going several directions at #7, including Kon, Maluach, and Essengue.

[the_process]

I could nitpick here and there, primarily that I don't think NOP is paying enough to move up, but overall this would be an acceptable outcome for the Sixers this offseason.

[theBigLip]

How about…
Fire Morey
Trade PG for anything and attach as few assets as possible
Once that’s done, trade Embid and get a haul of young players, picks
Keep #3 and draft BPA

[ReggiesKnicks]

How about…
Fire Morey
Trade PG for anything and attach as few assets as possible
Once that’s done, trade Embid and get a haul of young players, picks
Keep #3 and draft BPA

Who is trading a haul of young players and picks for Embiid?

Why would a team rebuilding send assets to get off of Paul George?

[Karmaloop]

3 + salaries for Herb + 7 is the kind of deal I can’t rule out though. So even if I would prefer futures, I get it. It passes the sniff test.

Unless Dylan Harper is there or they're really high on someone, I probably wouldn't do that if I were New Orleans. I'd probably give the '27 FRP (Top 4 protected) and/or Jordan Hawkins for that pick though.

[Jojothewhale]

3 + salaries for Herb + 7 is the kind of deal I can’t rule out though. So even if I would prefer futures, I get it. It passes the sniff test.

Unless Dylan Harper is there or they're really high on someone, I probably wouldn't do that if I were New Orleans. I'd probably give the '27 FRP (Top 4 protected) and/or Jordan Hawkins for that pick though.

I don’t think any team is moving up at all unless they love someone.

It’s not a thing you get priced into like this. Now they could determine the price is too high, but they would still love the player. You have to be motivated to give up assets. If they don’t, there are no negotiations to be had.

[theBigLip]

How about…
Fire Morey
Trade PG for anything and attach as few assets as possible
Once that’s done, trade Embid and get a haul of young players, picks
Keep #3 and draft BPA

Who is trading a haul of young players and picks for Embiid?

Why would a team rebuilding send assets to get off of Paul George?

I never said PG to a “rebuilding” team. But it was a horrible signing and Philly needs to get out from that contract. It won’t be a pretty trade but it wasn’t a pretty signing.

Someone will take a chance on Embid. It’s not going to be a KD haul, but you should be able to get some assets coming back.

Then start your rebuild around Maxey and #3.

[ReggiesKnicks]

How about…
Fire Morey
Trade PG for anything and attach as few assets as possible
Once that’s done, trade Embid and get a haul of young players, picks
Keep #3 and draft BPA

Who is trading a haul of young players and picks for Embiid?

Why would a team rebuilding send assets to get off of Paul George?

I never said PG to a “rebuilding” team. But it was a horrible signing and Philly needs to get out from that contract. It won’t be a pretty trade but it wasn’t a pretty signing.

Philadelphia is rebuilding, right?

Why would they send assets to off-load Paul George?

My comment is asking why Philadelphia, a team rebuilding, attach assets to move salary.

Someone will take a chance on Embid. It’s not going to be a KD haul, but you should be able to get some assets coming back.

Then start your rebuild around Maxey and #3.

I disagree someone would pay "young players and picks" for Embiid. I think most of the NBA fan base does as well, but maybe we are all wrong.

[Tim Lehrbach]

Maybe it's because I like Edgecombe more than most do, but I do not like 3 for 7 and Herb. I can get wanting some "now" value with maybe future value vs. throwing all the eggs in the future maybe value basket, but I do not agree with that premise and believe they should trade down no more than one spot, and only if Charlotte wants Ace.