2019 Sixers Offseason

[jimbomill]

Not worth it, In my humble opinion. If you can't find a way to play for the Knicks...

Bingo

[bigegypt0417]

I don't think he'll ever be anything more than an average offensive player but his strength is perimeter defense. seems like a good addition using a second round pick.

[VoteForKalas]

Any roster the Sixers decide on is not likely to take out Golden State, I agree with that. Unfortunately they also seemingly have no shot at Durant or Leonard. Heck, we're not even sure if they can keep Butler and Harris! But it's still probably their only path to having the best possible roster, as things currently stand.

I think the creative Plan C might be to sign Harris but not Butler, if you think you can do some other good things with the cap space. That gives you one more year to see about Simmons. Harris could be better with the bigger role and he's not likely to be a bust (because of age or attitude) in three years.

My take on the Process is the goal was to win rings, not be a playoff contender or make an occasional visit to the 2nd round of the playoffs. The goal was to be that next elite dynasty team to restore the 76ers reputation in the NBA and write a brilliant new chapter of their historical legacy.

Hinkie IMO was thinking on that level and I believe JHarris had similar ambitions. Develop a stellar organization and team, win the fans and pundits back and rake in massive revenue along with shooting the value of the franchise through the roof.

Obviously, the Process has had many hiccups, mostly starting with the engineered firing of Hinkie, the arrival of JC, the hiring of his son BC and the lost summer when Brown was GM.

The bottom line is we have Embiid, Simmons and Brown remains coach. And we have a chance to retain Butler and Harris. Unfortunately, due to the mistakes and mismanagement, we do not have much else. Smith is a question mark. TJ is not good enough. JJ is old and not versatile or well-rounded enough. Boban, Monroe & Johnson are warm bodies, not capable backup C. Ennis and Scott are ok in certain roles, but limited. JSimmons is dime a dozen. Bolden, Korkmaz and Milton have potential if they can be developed.

We need to address the issues with our stars, build a much better bench and get another elite stud for the roster. I do not believe you can do those things and keep both Butler & Harris and certainly not JJ. You could roll the dice and hope JHarris is ok paying luxury taxes for several years, but unless the results are quick I doubt that has real legs. I think you have to swing hard for Durant or Leonard, hope that keeps Butler here for less and than build a bench through the draft & who you have left - Smith, Korkmaz, Milton, Scott, Bolden etc.

[Lawman]

I think you have to swing hard for Durant or Leonard,

Can the Sixers afford Embiid, Simmons, Durant/Leonard, and Butler/Harris?

[VoteForKalas]

Not if all are maxed - I think the best you could do is get Durant and use that to convince Butler or Harris to sign on for a discount. It would have a short time frame since Simmons comes up next year, but if they win that may get Simmons to stay for less as well.

If we bring back the same crew and max both Butler and Harris, I believe that dooms the 76ers to not only failing to win a ring, but will likely greatly limit our ability to improve roster depth and lead to Simmons leaving next year

[phillychuck]

Bodner wrote a huge article on the Athletic about the Sixers' situation with both the cap and the "Apron" and concludes maxing Butler and Harris and paying Simmons would put a lot of limitations on the Sixers, but they would not be insurmountable. Realize the Sixers starting 5 was the best in the NBA by a lot. Personally, I'd want to keep that crew around.

Here's Derek's short summary (I highly recommend subscribing to the athletic--their basketball coverage alone is worth the price):

"There are so many different ways this can go, but this is long and short of it: A future with Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris all on max contracts likely means a 2019-20 season hard-capped at just more than $138 million, followed by a future of no bi-annual exceptions, significantly reduced mid-level exceptions, no sign-and-trade deals and more difficult salary matching rules in trades."

[zambonir]

The Process ended when Hinkie was fired, or, if you prefer, it fell apart when Fultz didn't work out (alternately, D'Angelo Russell in 2015 would have been nice). Alongside all of that, obviously a clownshow under the Colangelos.

But between both GMs they simply failed to grow three stars, only two (both of whom are still works in progress). And they failed to sign one last summer. So overpaying for two almost-stars is their only alternative. It still looks to me like paying Butler and Harris produces a better team than not paying them. The lower amount of $ to spend and the cheaper alternatives, even while building depth, just don't look good.

If they didn't sign both guys could they even still afford Durant or Leonard?

The best argument for paying Jimmy Butler? The Sixers probably can’t afford to...

[zambonir]

How 'bout now? I don't figure we'd be winning this series, Kawhi is just clearly at another level as is their depth, but once again, oh so close did they come.

[bigegypt0417]

Kevin Durant with an Achilles injury.

[phillychuck]

Despite Durant's absence for most of the game, GSW dig deep and pull out a 1-point victory in Toronto. Can the splash brothers win 2 more essentially by themselves?

Knicks' fans must be depressed...Durant probably out for a year or so. Tough luck for him, very upset talking to the press after the game. GSW medical staff says it's very likely to be torn.

[bkeich]

Obviously not much Sixers news at the moment, but I think the Durant injury might actually have a negative impact on the Sixers. It puts the Knicks once again in a position to sign a max FA, and even if it isn’t one of ours, it might start a chain reaction to where we lose Butler or Harris.

The Knicks are terrible and even Durant was not going to fix them, but it is NY and some player might want to try.

[xogfog]

A little solace that the Sixers lost to the NBA champs, hopefully, they'll be there themselves soon. Another five star free agent goes down as Klay Thompson tore his ACL last night. Next year might be the Sixers best window, Leonard might go to the West, Durant and Thompson will be out for the year, it should be wide open, so next season is the time to strike.

[zambonir]

Thompson will probably play next year eventually (albeit limited). Can we sign him?

As bkeich notes the problem is the Sixers weren't supposed to get the big FAs to begin with and other teams will be chasing after Butler and Harris. But a fifth year either gets it done or it doesn't, for Butler.

[Lawman]

Butler has announced that he will not utilize his player option for next year, and he will be a Free Agent.

At this point, looks like Kyrie to Brooklyn. Kawhi probably Toronto or LAC. Durant to GS or NYK (but out injured most of the year). Thompson back to GS (but out injured most of the year). Walker back to Charlotte.

[jimbomill]

Durant to GS or NYK

I have to lean towards Durant exercising his player option to get his big bucks from Golden State. That injury is prohibitive. Even the NYK aren't that bad an organization to give him big bucks until he shows he's fully recovered. But, when it comes to the NYK, they can always find a way to make you shake your head.

[zambonir]

Most of the pundits say he won't opt in, and multiple teams will still offer him a four-year max. Now it's actually a bit of a loophole that increases the AAV of the contract in a way, in that he'll be paid to not play for a year. The Warriors might still re-sign him too.

For the Knicks, crazy as they are, they can probably more easily afford to go a year (or all but a few months) without him.

Bobby Marks: 3 Teams Said They'd Sign Kevin Durant in Free Agency Despite Injury

[VoteForKalas]

Too bad that Golden State could never court their full team, but congrats to the Raptors for their first NBA championship

[zambonir]

Obviously the Warriors have been the class of the league but over the years they have won more than a couple of close, important playoff rounds because of other team's injuries too. These were some tough injuries to watch though.

[xogfog]

I think with the way the cards are falling, the Sixers have find a way to retain Butler, Harris and Redick for next year, with a full year playing together, I think they would make it to the finals where they would have a good chance to win it all. I know that will leave them with little room to improve depth, but they have 5 picks, 4 in the second round, and if they pick good senior and junion players that are not studs but are more finished, solid players, they could put together a young, cheap bench. There is some decent talent that should be available in the early 2nd round like Carson Edwards and Admiral Schofield, and later 2nd I think Aubrey Dawkins would be good value, he certainly comes from good lineage

[zambonir]

Next up, Lakers sign Butler? (So goes the chatter, nothing sourced I don't think.)

Sources: Lakers reach deal for Pelicans' Davis