76ers: A Crucial Offseason with Championship Aspirations
After signing star Paul George and with their sights set on the championship for the 2024-25 season, the Philadelphia 76ers are facing a crucial offseason. They have the number 3 pick in the 2025 NBA draft and many significant questions after a 24-58 season. The first key point is Joel Embiid, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee a few months ago. This, after playing 19 games last season. With the injury of Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, which leaves the top of the Eastern Conference more vulnerable than expected, Philadelphia believes it has a chance to compete, but this will only be viable if Embiid is healthy. Then there’s George, who also struggled to stay on the court and produce in his first season as a Sixer. Will he be able to return to the expected level after leaving the LA Clippers 12 months ago? If they achieve both goals, the 76ers should be in the running for the top spot in the East. However, whether they can do it is the biggest unknown in the East. Philadelphia also has to decide what to do with restricted free agent Quentin Grimes and unrestricted free agent Guerschon Yabusele. As the two brightest spots on the team last season, they will likely attract outside interest. First, however, the 76ers have a fascinating decision to make with their No. 3 pick, and they also have what could be a valuable second-round pick (No. 35) to use on another possible contributor after acquiring the pick in the Caleb Martin trade in February.
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Sixers Draft Options
After getting lucky in the lottery and not only keeping their selection but seeing it move up to number 3, the 76ers have the opportunity to add a great talent to their roster. VJ Edgecombe is projected as the most likely option at number 3. There is a possibility that another team will make an offer to move up in the draft to this position, and the 76ers should be open to the idea of using the selection to create value. But, after a difficult and injury-plagued season, Philadelphia could also think about the big picture and take the best prospect available. Edgecombe offers excellent projection as a shot-creating guard due to his explosiveness and ability to pressure defenses. While he doesn’t cover a direct positional need for the 76ers, he has the characteristics of a potential franchise cornerstone. His strong intangibles have also helped his case here. He is widely considered a safer option than Ace Bailey. While they won’t have much choice in the 35th position, the Sixers should ideally be aiming for a player who can provide immediate depth to the squad. An experienced college player like Ryan Kalkbrenner would make sense considering the need for depth behind Embiid, who is often injured.Two Trade Offers the 76ers Could Consider
Offer No. 1: The Sixers trade the No. 3 pick for the No. 7 pick- 76ers receive:
- Selection No. 7
- Herb Jones
- New Orleans Pelicans receive:
- Selection No. 3
- Kelly Oubre Jr.
According to my draft value chart, which is based on the results of all first-round picks from 2000 to 2016, the difference between the No. 3 and No. 7 pick is equivalent to a pick in the early 20s. It might be an overreach for Philadelphia to get New Orleans to accept a return like that for Jones. But if the Pelicans believe they could get a true star at the No. 3 pick who wouldn’t fall to No. 7, this deal would make sense for both sides.
Offer No. 2: Philadelphia trades George- 76ers receive:
- Michael Porter Jr.
- Zeke Nnaji
- Dario Saric
- Denver Nuggets receive:
- Paul George
If the 76ers want to keep the No. 3 pick, it won’t be easy to make significant improvements. Embiid, George, and Maxey are the only Sixers earning eight figures, so matching a star’s salary would be nearly impossible unless they can include one of the big three. But Embiid and Maxey seem practically untouchable, and George’s contract seems to be underwater after a difficult first season in Philadelphia, so, how about an old-fashioned challenge trade, with no picks involved, just players who could benefit from a fresh start in a new city?
For a long time, it was rumored that Denver was interested in George, who, theoretically, fits perfectly in their forward position, as a secondary two-way star with a smooth 3-point shot. And if the Nuggets’ new front office decides they need to take a chance with a high-risk, high-reward move to compete with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the West, trading Porter for George could be the right decision. Porter’s game has stagnated in Denver, and George offers a higher ceiling if he returns healthy in 2025-26. For the 76ers, meanwhile, Porter’s contract is smaller than George’s and has one less year (taking into account George’s player option in 2027-28), which increases their financial flexibility in the future. And, as an excellent 3-point shooter with size, Porter would provide pristine spacing around Maxey and Embiid, while fitting more into Maxey’s timeline than George, who is almost a decade older.Among those exchange offers, this is the one that fits best
Bobby Marks from ESPN picks the most realistic trades and explains why this might or might not be feasible: The exchange with Denver is the best offer here because the three-for-one exchange balances the Sixers’ roster while eliminating the $56.6 million owed to George in 2027-28. The exchange with the Pelicans is beneficial for both parties. The 76ers entered draft week with a “fictitious” list of five players they would select if they chose at the No. 3 spot: Edgecombe, Khaman Maluach, Bailey, Tre Johnson, and Jeremiah Fears. By moving back four spots, Philadelphia still has the option of selecting a player from their list and, more importantly, adding an All-NBA defender in Jones. The exchange is conditioned on Oubre accepting his $8.4 million contract for next season.
