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Philadelphia 76ers: 4 potential mid-level exception free agent targets

BySimon Smith|
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 7: Ben Simmons #25 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers high five after the game against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 7: Ben Simmons #25 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers high five after the game against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2018 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
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(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

After an eventful 2018 NBA Draft, here are three mid-level exception free agency targets this summer for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Following a 52-win season, it was widely expected that the Philadelphia 76ers would utilize the No. 10 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft to secure a player who could make an immediate impact.

For a very short time, this appeared to be the case when the Sixers selected Mikal Bridges of Villanova. However, the Sixers quickly dealt Bridges to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Texas Tech’s Zhaire Smith, chosen at No.16 overall, and a future first round pick. Smith is viewed as more of a project pick in comparison to Bridges.

While this may seem a little odd considering the Sixers’ recent ascension, it’s also a credit to head coach Brett Brown, in his role as the team’s de facto president of basketball operations, to put the future interests of the franchise ahead of immediate success.

That being said, the Sixers’ attention now turns to the rapidly approaching free agency period. Considering the status of the team, and the enormous amount of salary cap space available, the main targets this summer are going to be names such as LeBron James and Paul George.

However, targeting such big names and gaining their signature will be much easier said than done. Therefore, alternative free agent targets must also be considered as this hectic time of the NBA offseason is widely expected to be out of control this year.

According to Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders, the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception (MLE) projects to be $8.6 million. Essentially, the MLE is an annual allowance whereby teams can sign players even if their payroll exceeds the cap. Currently, the Sixers are well below the league Luxury Tax Apron of $129 million, meaning they are potentially in a position to offer a four-year deal to a prospective free agent worth up to $8.6 million annually.

Considering the Sixers’ limitless potential, there’s bound to be a number of interested free agents this offseason willing to sign for a slightly lower rate in order to join a potentially powerful franchise.

With this in mind, here are three prime free agent targets the Sixers could target this summer for the Non-Taxpayer MLE.