Will Sixers Bite On Enticing Free Agents in 2015?

It’s common knowledge by now that no one is safe on the roster of the Philadelphia 76ers. In a designed state of flux, player movement in the City of Brotherly Love has been a constant theme over the past two seasons. In his third offseason, Sam Hinkie’s elaborate game plan will have fans seeing familiar faces head out of the 215.

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Whoever Hinkie and management decide to bring in, however, is the polarizing question. The copious amount of cap space has allowed the franchise an opportunity to distribute salary to whomever they desire. Such another facet of optionality Sam Hinkie stressed during one of his few press conferences this season.

With only eight players contractually set to suit up next season for the team, the room for big-name talent is certainly available. The 2015 free agency class probably won’t match its 2014 predecessor in terms of talent or landscape changeability, but a plethora of valuable commodities are on the table.

At the upper echelon of the group, both Marc Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge offer franchise-changing upside as frontcourt All-Stars. As unrestricted free agents, the Sixers would not have to match their respective teams’ offers. Another interesting caveat is that both Gasol and Aldridge have the same agent as Joel Embiid in Arn Tellem.

However, adding either big man would stunt the growth of Embiid in his rookie year and his chemistry with fellow promising stud Nerlens Noel. The Sixers preach player development and both players growing as a tandem is an ideal step towards the teams ascension to basketball prominence.

However, acquiring an interior presence to either mentor or challenge the emerging talents is certainly an option. With both Henry Sims and Thomas Robinson set to hit the open market, Hinkie’s lone frontcourt player on the roster is the limited Furkan Aldemir. A solution could already come from within.

Robinson, after not living up to the lofty expectations that come with being the No. 5 overall pick in the draft, was released in February by Portland. His fourth team in just three seasons, the Kansas product took full advantage of his brief role as energizer for the Sixers. He also bought into the philosophy:

"“I just want to be a part of whatever it is they’ve got going on as far as rebuilding,” said Robinson per csnphilly.com during the season.  “Nerlens is a superstar-caliber player in the making. Like I said before, many times, Noel will be go go-to scorer in this league at some point. What I do is just feed off of guys like that, and do what I do, and bring it to the table. Hopefully, it correlates to what Nerlens does and what Joel does, too, next year, that it can be a good three-man rotation.”"

Robinson brings an array of enticing traits fitting for a Sixers team that gives ample opportunities to young players. The interest is there with Robinson’s desire to be a vital part of the rebuild. With the salary cap set to balloon considerably thanks to the NBA’s new TV deal in 2016, contracts offered this offseason are far more appealing due to added flexibility.

While Hinkie might be hesitant to reel in a big fish such as a Gasol or Aldridge, bringing in Robinson long-term could be another option for the savvy GM.

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The Sixers face the dilemma of whether free agents are also willing to enter the fold as did Robinson last season. The team has been criticized for their “losing culture” in the past and their roster unpredictability has yet to produce a stable foundation. However, Hinkie has not pursued a top-tier free agent in his regime.

Whether or not a franchise talent would prefer a lesser deal from their original team over a max contract from the Sixers has yet to be determined.

If the max contract comes into discussion for the team, guys like Jimmy Butler, Kawhi Leonard or Draymond Green represent quality wing options. LeBron James, despite being the elite commodity, will presumably use his player option and continue to lead Cleveland’s quest for their first title.

Any one of the aforementioned trio could be plugged into one of the wing spots on the perimeter and drastically vault Philadelphia’s production on both ends of the floor.

Butler exhibited the saying “playing like a max-contract player” after starring on a Bulls squad that once again dealt with an injury to former MVP Derrick Rose this season. Butler, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, earned the Most Improved Player award in 2015 after posting career highs in points per game (20.0), rebounds (5.8), and assists (3.3).

Operating on a contract a shade more than $2 million per year, Butler will most likely command a max contract or near that value. On a perennially contending Chicago Bulls team, Butler would be hard pressed to leave the East powerhouse and their winning culture. Similarly, both Leonard and Green, operating as restricted free agents, are fixtures in their franchise’s game plans.

Leonard, after winning the MVP in the 2014 NBA Finals, continued his two-way success in 2015 and was named the Defensive Player of the Year. With both Spurs icons in Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili entering the free agent market, GM R.C. Buford is left to question whether Leonard is his next franchise cornerstone.

Green was a contender in both the Most Improved Player award and Defensive Player of the Year accolade as the X-factor for the Warriors this season. A career wing at both Michigan State and Golden State, coach Steve Kerr inserted Green into the starting lineup at the 4 to open the season with starter David Lee resting an injured hamstring.

Green capitalized on the vaulted role and was an instrumental and versatile asset for Kerr. Teaming with the best backcourt in the association, Green scrapped his way to a career high in points per game (11..7), boards per game (8.2), and shooting percentage (44.3%).

With the majority of the Warriors rotation locked up for next season and currently over the salary cap by more than $4 million, Green presents the Sixers with one of the most acquirable big name talents on the market. However, as appealing of a wing Green might offer, Hinkie’s track record and blueprint could nix any serious interest.

Expediting the Sixers rebuilding process would go against their notion of “together we build.” Hinkie values talent, the quest for elite talent and the lengthy process that comes with rebuilding. It’s universal that Hinkie and management strive for the chance to be elite and not just good.

While names like Gasol, Butler and Aldridge paint the picture of quality productivity, they, by all means, are not stars. In comparison, the free agency class next year provides teams with elite performers in Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis.

Loaded with a potential top-five selection in this year’s draft, the Sixers will enter the third year of their highly scrutinized rebuilding process. Then, they will make their push in their quest for that ideal star to pair up with the bright nucleus here in Philadelphia.

While fans might have to wait another year for that potential elite signing, the development of the team’s three first-round picks will provide definite optimism.

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