The Sixers are currently projected to have as much as $58 million in cap space this summer to chase free agents. While this year's crop of free agents isn't as good as in the past, with many stars opting to sign extensions, there are still a few impact players that could be available.
The belief is that the Clippers are unwilling to meet Paul George's expectations for his next contract, per @PompeyOnSixers
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 28, 2024
“The Sixers are closely monitoring the situation, hoping the Clippers let George slip away.”
(Via https://t.co/3n4iCDUNtn) pic.twitter.com/h5a1O1fKQB
One is LA Clippers star Paul George, who has yet to sign a contract extension and can become a free agent this offseason. While George can sign an extension anytime, with the regular season almost over and the playoffs set to begin, it's all but certain that he won't between now and this summer.
The same can be said for Golden State Warriors star Klay Thompson. With both players possibly available, the Sixers may pursue them hard.
Can the Philadelphia 76ers land a star this summer?
The Sixers clearly have big plans for this offseason, with only Joel Embiid and Paul Reed under contract and Tyrese Maxey's cap hold. Still, they probably wouldn't be able to sign both George and Thompson.
However, they could conceivably land George and re-sign players such as Kelly Oubre and Buddy Hield to help build out the rest of their roster around Embiid, Maxey, and George. Pursuing George and/or Thompson does come with risks. George will turn 34 during the playoffs, while Thompson is already 34 and both players have extensive injury issues.
Those aren't normally the types of players that teams are willing to offer a max contract to at that age or with those injury concerns. After all, the Clippers and Warriors both balked at extending George and Thompson, possibly for those reasons and there is a risk that the Sixers overpay for declining assets.
With Embiid 30 years old and having an injury history of his own, the Sixers can't afford to break the bank on a player only for them to underperform their contract, much like Tobias Harris. There is an intriguing trade option that could net the Sixers a third star without negatively impacting their cap space, but these rumors suggest they're keeping all options open.