[jwplayer MXdl9lDa-z6KDnl0B]
The Philadelphia 76ers made some big moves on draft night as they were able to move Al Horford’s contract and they then made another trade to acquire more shooting to their roster.
Now, as free agency gets set to begin on Friday night, they have some new needs they should tackle.
While rookie Paul Reed can certainly fill the role as a backup big man, the team should definitely look into acquiring a big man on a cheap deal in order to spell Joel Embiid.
President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey does not have too much money to work with even after getting off of Horford’s contract, but there is still roughly $6 million to spend. Morey and the team plan to make another move and they plan to use coach Doc Rivers to do it.
“I do think you like to have optionality in how you play behind Joel,” Morey stated. “I think Doc and his staff can get creative with some of the unique lineups where Ben is featured and we build a system around him like I’ve done in the past and Doc’s done in the past. There’s a chance to play really unique, up-tempo, spacing, shooting lineups, but I also like adding a big just so Doc has all the tools to attack who we’re playing in different ways.”
Rivers has a reputation of being a guy that players want to play for and that plays a factor in being able to bring big names to their team. For example, Kawhi Leonard with the Los Angeles Clippers is a big name who decided to play under Rivers.
“I think the main thing is you want to never force anything,” Morey added. “Just actually having a perceived opening with a big often allows Doc to go to work and use his amazing recruiting skills that I think is the best I’ve ever seen at the coaching position to get top players to consider here because they see a path and an opportunity.”
While the Sixers certainly like what they have put together right now around Ben Simmons and Embiid, they can always improve. That is something that is always on Morey’s mind as free agency gets set to open.
The Sixers won’t be out looking for the next star, obviously, but if Rivers can lure a guy like a JaMychal Green or Nerlens Noel to Philadelphia to back up Embiid, it would be a huge get for the team’s bench unit.
“Doc is extremely comfortable with what we have,” Morey finished with. “Obviously, there’s free agency coming so there’s going to be some additions there, but we love the starting group. We go multiple players deep behind them. We feel very good [about] where we’re at. Obviously, our job is to always look for opportunities, but we feel very good about we’re at right now.”
Free agency is set to open at 6:00 p.m. EST on Friday and it promises to bring a lot of chaos. [lawrence-related id=39317,39314,39307]