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Philadelphia 76ers: Top 5 Free Agency Targets

By Simon Smith

Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons (R) and President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo (M) and number twenty-fourth overall draft pick Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (L) during an introduction press conference at the Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons (R) and President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo (M) and number twenty-fourth overall draft pick Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (L) during an introduction press conference at the Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

In the midst of a promising campaign and with a boat load of salary cap space, the Philadelphia 76ers could be serious players during this summer’s free agency period.

Following a combined 47 wins over the past three seasons, including just 10 last year, the Philadelphia 76ers have already seemingly eclipsed all expectations. With a 20-34 record, the Sixers are just five games behind the eighth place Detroit Pistons in the hunt for the playoffs.

Having gone through years of struggle and sacrifice throughout the Sam Hinkie Era, the 76ers are finally starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel. And when this year’s No.1 overall pick Ben Simmons makes his debut shortly after the upcoming All-Star break, the future of the Sixers for years to come will be there for all to see.

Aside from the outstanding job head coach Brett Brown has done through these recent challenging times, the most profound reason for the Sixers’ march up the standings this season has been the impact of center Joel Embiid.

Despite appearing in only 31 games, Rookie of the Year favorite Joel Embiid’s impact has been profound. The Sixers have been a +3.2 points per 100 possessions with Embiid and on the floor, and -10.8 with him off the court.

While the playoffs are an outside shot and would be an outstanding accomplishment, the sight of Simmons and Embiid on the floor together remains what Sixers fans will be looking forward to most this season.

Once the season does end, the Sixers are again going to be in a great position thanks to the work Hinkie put in during his nearly three years in charge of the team’s basketball operations.

Currently, the Sixers have just under $48 million on the books for next season. Considering the salary cap for next season is estimated to be $102 million, this represents enormous scope with which to work for the new president of basketball operations, Bryan Colangelo.

Here is a list of the free agents the 76ers should most aggressively pursue this summer.