Ideal Sixers offseason targets ranked by likelihood and fit
Ideal Targets
LeBron James: While LeBron is unlikely to leave his family in Los Angeles, the Sixers could bring a certain family member of his to Philadelphia prior to free agency. Armed with both the 16th and 41st overall pick this year, it's possible Bronny James will be available at either slot. LeBron is the ultimate winner, appearing in 10 NBA Finals and winning four. While not a perfect fit next to Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, Bron has no weaknesses to his game and can contribute by creating open looks for his teammates, rebounding at a high clip, and adding a level of toughness and physicality the team simply didn’t have this year. Oh, and he’s the all time leading scorer in the sport’s history.
OG Anunoby: OG made himself very familiar to Sixers fans this playoff run, as he was the Knicks second best player and defensive juggernaut. With Embiid and Maxey scoring over 60 points per game, the Sixers could throw about $35 million per season at OG to try and force his exit from the conference rival Knicks. OG possesses the complementary skill set Tobias never did, as an offensive piece who excels in transition and as a cutter while passing as a spot up shooter. He won’t need to take possessions away from the star duo to fit in, while covering all five positions at an elite level defensively. OG certainly isn’t the second most talented option for the Sixers next season, but given his availability as a free agent and fit on the team he takes my second spot on this list.
Mikal Bridges(trade): Mikal Bridges makes just over $23 million next season and was First Team All-Defense in 2022. Mikal is the perfect complementary player offensively, with above average skills in virtually every area. Mikal is elite as a shooter, whether it be off the dribble, off screens, or off the catch. Mikal can fit in without needing the ball in his hands, but also possesses the ability to take guys off the dribble when he needs to. Mikal’s few weaknesses come down to the fact that he is listed at only 6 '6, and isn’t a good rebounder for a SF. Mikal would also cost a minimum of two first round picks, with the Nets possibly asking for four, leaving the Sixers very low on assets if the move does not work out.
Lauri Markkanen(trade): Markkanen is one of the best shooters in the NBA, while pulling in over eight rpg as a seven footer. Markkanen has averaged over 23 ppg each of the last two seasons and while that would go down playing next to Embiid and Maxey, he would still elevate the team's offense immensely. Markkanen is not the best player defensively, but he isn’t a liability in any way and it’s hard to imagine he wouldn’t at least be an upgrade from Tobias Harris on that side of the court, especially given the overwhelming size he and Embiid would bring to the starting lineup. Rebounding was a crucial factor in the Sixers loss to the Knicks, and with Markkanen it's hard to imagine Josh Hart grabbing 13, 15, 6, 17, 9, and 14 rebounds like he did in six playoff matchups against the Sixers. While Danny Ainge does typically ask for a lot in any trade, Markkanen is a free agent at the end of next season so he could trade the $18 million player for a package of 2-3 first round picks this summer.
Donovan Mitchell(trade): Donovan Mitchell is probably the best player on this list currently, or at least close to 40 year old LeBron James for the top spot. He comes in the number five spot however as he isn’t an especially great fit for the team with Embiid and Maxey possessing a lot of the same skills as one on one scorers, coupled with the fact that he probably isn’t getting traded for anything less than four first round picks. Nevertheless, talent wins more often than not and there wouldn’t be a more talented team than the Embiid, Maxey, and Mitchell Sixers if Daryl Morey found a way to pull this off.
Miles Bridges: Bridges comes with serious issues off the court, but the reality is that he will be on an NBA roster next season barring any new issues during the off-season. The problem with not signing him is that another team will add Bridges on a massive discount. Bridges is somewhat similar to Tobias offensively, although much more athletic and decisive as a decision maker, nullifying many of the issues that plagued Tobias. Defensively, Bridges is tough, physical, hard working, and is strong on the glass. Bridges made less than $8 million this season and if he is available for something like two years and $20 million it's hard to pass up on the talent.
Likely overpays/bad fits
Brandon Ingram(trade): Ingram was one of the first players to be connected to the Sixers through trade rumors after the series loss to the Knicks. He is the second worst fit of any player on this list but takes the top spot on my list given he would likely cost at least two first round picks to acquire. As to why Ingram is a bad fit, the guy makes $36 million next year without possessing a single skill set that Sixers don’t already have covered with Embiid and Maxey. Ingram’s greatest strength is his isolation scoring and ability to create for teammates from it. Is he good enough at either to justify taking the ball out of their hands? No, as the guy averaged under 21 ppg on a mediocre Pelicans team. Ingram isn't a good defender, is a below average three point shooter, and doesn’t rebound at a high clip either. Resigning the much cheaper and better fitting Kelly Oubre is a much better strategy as Morey can save money and draft picks to use elsewhere on bigger upgrades.
Jimmy Butler(trade): Before the pitchforks come out, I’ll start off by saying I loved Butler in Philly and still think he’s a great player and a decent fit with the team, albeit without a three point shot. The big concern with the 34 year old Butler is he leaves the Sixers completely stuck with no ability to ever build a contender around Embiid if he doesn’t work out immediately. Butler makes $49 million this season and $52 million next season. He also wants a two year 113 million dollar extension taking him through his age 38 season. Combine this with the fact that Pat Riley will ask for a minimum of three first round picks in the trade, sabotaging any ability to rebuild if it blows up and Embiid asks for a trade. If this trade happens and doesn’t work out, not only does it get Daryl Morey fired but likely the next two gms who take over. It pains me to write anything negative about a player who did so much for us but the time to re-up with Butler was in 2019 when we instead signed Al Horford.
DeMar DeRozan: DeRozan is the worst fit of any player on this list, but comes in third due to the fact that he is a free agent and won’t cost draft picks to acquire. DeRozan is Brandon Ingram with zero ability to shoot the three or capability of playing without the ball. He also is 34 years old and reportedly turned down a two year $80 million dollar extension. I can’t imagine any contending team will seriously look at adding DeRozan, but given certain reports I thought I’d include him anyway.
Klay Thompson: Klay actually fits really well with the Sixers but like almost everyone on this list he is 34 years old. He’s also likely capable of getting a massive contract from the Warriors. If Klay was available for less than $20 million per season, I think his physical defense and flamethrowing shooting ability is worth the risk of his age. I just find it really hard to believe the Warriors won’t keep their core together until they all retire given their success in the NBA Finals.
Paul George: Paul George isn’t the worst fit with the Sixers, but he isn’t the perfect fit some people have made him out to be. While George does have the theoretical 3 and D skill set the team needs, he spends a massive chunk of the game playing iso ball. He isn’t consistent at all, and he shot the Clippers out of numerous games against the Mavs in the playoffs. For anything over $32 million, I’m good on George. Another factor here is Philadelphia owns the Clippers 2028 unprotected first round pick. If the Clippers double down this summer on the 34 year old PG, 32 year old Kawhi, and 34 year old Harden trio, then that pick is gonna be in the top 10, possibly 1st. All three players have declined dramatically from their peaks in the last few seasons, and have plenty of injury issues as well. There is just zero chance any of them will be all stars four years from now.
Pascal Siakam: Siakam is a player I’ve gone back and forth on, but given Indiana sacrificing three first round picks for him I can’t imagine the Sixers grabbing him for anything less than the max. The 30 year old Siakam isn’t worth that, even if he fits pretty well defensively with this team. Offensively, the fit certainly isn’t as bad as a DeRozan or Ingram fit, but Siakam is at his best facing/posting up and using his footwork to get to the basket. He also is strong rolling in the P&R. Given Embiid’s strengths in these areas and Siakams lack of 3 point shooting ability, Daryl Morey should likely stay away unless he strikes out on a plethora of other options. Of all the players on this list however, Siakam was the player I was most hesitant to include as many playoff teams win mostly by grinding games out defensively.
