2. Acquire depth
The Golden State Warriors are living proof. Losing your Kevin Durant, losing your Klay Thompson, or not having your DeMarcus Cousins at full capacity in the crux of your season can harshly take its toll.
With the knowledge of potentially having J.J. Redick walk this summer, the Sixers are going to desperately need shooting. Redick has filled that void immensely for two seasons, averaging 17.6 points a night and knocking down 433 3-pointers in that juncture. Though his production has never been in question, his age gives reasons that the Sixers won’t re-sign him.
Some notable free agents who could step right in his place include guards Danny Green, Bojan Bogdanovic, Patrick Beverley, George Hill and Wesley Matthews.
After trading up to the No. 20 in last week’s NBA Draft to add a wing option in Matisse Thybulle, the positional needs have shifted a bit. While Thybulle should instantly provide solid aid, the Sixers gave away three of their five picks.
This frees up $1m in cap space for the #sixers. https://t.co/BK9sg6G6cs
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) June 21, 2019
They mitigated a disappointing draft night in other ways, though. They pounced on the opportunity to jettison Jonathon Simmons and the No. 42 overall pick to the Washington Wizards for salary cap room, which of course will play a major factor this summer. Simmons would’ve been guaranteed a slight portion of his $5.7 million contract had he remained with the team until July 1.
The Sixers will assuredly scour the field for a backup big man behind the often injured Joel Embiid, and who they return with could make or break their chances at competing for a championship come next season.