With the 2024 NBA Draft starting tomorrow and ending on Thursday the biggest offseason in franchise history begins for the Philadelphia 76ers. Last season ended in disappointment with a first-round loss to the New York Knicks. So, tomorrow begins their journey to becoming a legitimate title contender in the loaded Eastern Conference.
Sixers Road To Becoming A Legitimate Title Contender
Trade First Round Pick For A Contributor
The Sixers have a lot of draft picks from the trade of James Harden over the offseason. Also, those picks could improve if the Los Angeles Clippers fall out of contention in the next few years. They have draft picks to get even younger if they want to, but they need to take advantage of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey’s primes. Especially, with this draft class being weaker than previous classes. If a player, they value is not available, the Sixers should use their 16th pick and a few of their second-round picks, to make a trade for a player who can contribute now.
Rumors are flying that Paul George may opt into his player option and force a trade out of LA. While the Sixers may prefer to sign him outright and not give LA some assets back. That is a deal they can make. The Sixers are looking for a player who can put the ball in the basket and can play defense. George fits that description and would be one of the best options of the available players this offseason. If the interest is still there in coming to Philly. If the Sixers can trade the pick for someone like George or a player of that caliber, they will have one of the best trios in the association.
Give Maxey His Money
As a result of the major development, he made this season Tyrese Maxey is in line for his first max contract. The Sixers did not give him his money last offseason, and the number one priority this offseason needs to be giving Maxey his money. Additionally, this upcoming contract should be a five-year 205-million-dollar deal. That would make him the second highest-paid player on Philly’s roster. He deserves every bit of that contract, and his development has made the Sixers one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.
Locking down Maxey and securing the future of the franchise should be the biggest priority for the Sixers. If he continues to develop as a player, he will be the new franchise player in Philly, when Embiid retires.
Obtain A Deeper Bench and Find A Back-up Center
Philly’s season really unraveled when Joel Embiid tore his meniscus this past season. Although the Sixers were a very deep team at other positions. They did not have the required depth at the center position to deal with a major injury to Joel Embiid. Additionally, they need to make it a priority to find a backup center. A player who can grab rebounds and play serviceable defense. Philly has had multiple postseason runs undone by the fact that they cannot survive the non-Embiid minutes. Getting more bench depth and finding a backup center needs to be one of the top priorities of their front office.
A player like Andre Drummond would be perfect for the backup center role for the Sixers. He is a former Sixer who found a good role in Philly and was beloved by the fan base. Additionally, he fits the role of a center who can grab rebounds and play good enough defense to keep the second unit afloat. While Embiid rests Philly did find success in playing Embiid and Drummond together a few years ago.
If the Sixers can secure a player like Drummond, add more shooters, and retain the services of some of their free agents (Kelly Oubre Jr., Nicolas Batum, Kyle Lowry, and Buddy Hield). Then Philly will have one of the deepest benches in the league and be a legitimate title contender in the loaded Eastern Conference.
