A Look Into The Offseason: Philadelphia 76ers

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It was another abysmal season for the Philadelphia 76ers. They finished the season 30th in rebounding, 29th in points and field goal percentage, 28th in opponents points per game, and 24th in three-point shooting percentage. This resulted in them missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season and ending with the worst record in the NBA. The rebuild continues, but their tanking strategy payed off at the NBA Draft Lottery. The 76ers were granted the first pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. Even with the top pick, the 76ers are still a season away from making the NBA Playoffs. Lets take a look at the summer ahead for the Philadelphia 76ers. 

Trade Candidates

C Jahlil Okafor

The 76ers have too many centers. With Jahlil Okafor, Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel, Okafor is the most likely to get traded. He holds the highest trade value and it isn’t likely Brett Brown plays Okafor and Embiid together. Okafor averaged 17.5 points and 7 rebounds per game over 53 games his rookie season. There are too many needs on the roster to keep all three. With no point guard depth in free agency, if the 76ers can work out a trade to snag Kris Dunn, they can’t hold back. 

Trade Partners: Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks

Draft

SF Ben Simmons, LSU

Ben Simmons is a small forward in a power forwards body. He is a fierce driver and can pass like a point guard. Simmons has the skill set to thrive in the NBA. The only thing Simmons needs to work on is a consistent jump shot. The 76ers are already leaning towards drafting him with the first pick in next months draft. The future looks bright in the City of Brotherly Love. 

SG Chris LeVert, Michigan

Chris LeVert is a versatile winger with great ball handling skills. He is a smooth three-point shooter and has the length to close passing lanes. His skill set is exactly what the Philadelphia 76ers are looking for off the bench. They’ll have the option of taking him with the 24th or 26th pick in next months draft. If he can add some weight to his 190 pound frame, he has the potential to start in the NBA. He would get drafted earlier if he didn’t injure his leg last season. 

Free Agency

SG Allen Crabbe

The Philadelphia 76ers need back court depth. The only shooting guard under contract for 2016-2017 is Nik Stauskas. Allen Crabbe fills that need. He is a bench scorer who shot 45.9 percent from the floor and 39.4 percent from three. The only issue is Crabbe is a restricted free agent so the Portland Trail Blazers have the right to match any offer sheet. The 76ers may need to overpay for depth. They still need to find a starter whether they sign Crabbe or not. 

SG/SF Evan Fournier

Evan Fournier is a three-point sniper who played his career best offensive season in 2015-2016. Fournier averaged 15.4 points, 2.7 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game. All three totals were career highs. What makes Fournier perfect for the 76ers is his three-point shooting. Since Ben Simmons struggles with his three-point shot, Fournier would give the 76ers a floor spacer. The 76ers need to address their three-point shooting issue and there aren’t many better young shooters on the market than Fournier.  

PF Ryan Anderson

The 76ers have the cap space to make a splash. Ryan Anderson would be a splash. Anderson is a stretch four who’s made a career from making three pointers off the bench. He is a career 37.7 percent three-point shooter and has averaged 16 or more points per game in four career NBA seasons. Neither Okafor, Embiid nor Noel can shoot. There is no better bench shooting forward in free agency than Anderson. Three-point shooting needs to be addressed. 

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