Stay or go: Predicting what Sixers will do with their 2023 free agents
As the Philadelphia 76ers navigate the offseason, there are only so many avenues the team can use to improve.
At the moment, per HoopsHype, the Sixers have:
There isn’t exactly a clear avenue for Philadelphia to go about improving their roster through free agency. Of course, there are sign-and-trade possibilities, but those are always hard to work through and make sure everything is ironed out. President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey has a lot of questions he has to answer.
Of course, the biggest question is James Harden, but one has to figure Morey and the Sixers will figure something out there.
Free agency will begin on June 30 and per Spotrac, there are nine free agents that the Sixers will have to decide on what to do.
Sixers Wire will predict who stays and who goes:
James Harden: Player option
There is a lot to unpack here. Morey has stated that the Sixers have an interest in bringing Harden back. It makes sense. The Beard is still an elite playmaker and he just led the league in assists while shooting a career-high from deep.
Harden has been linked for a reunion with the Houston Rockets as those rumors have been swirling since Christmas Day. The Beard hasn’t exactly denied those reports, but one could figure that maybe he is using that as leverage to coax the Sixers into giving him more money. The Sixers are unlikely to give him a $200 million contract, but Harden and Morey have a close relationship so one has to figure they will be able to work something out.
Either way, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. These reports have been gaining steam and one has to think Harden will likely be off to Houston.
Prediction: Goes
Paul Reed: Restricted
Reed took over the backup big man spot behind Joel Embiid after the All-Star break. He had a nice showing in the playoffs averaging 4.6 points and 5.5 rebounds while also coming up with double-doubles in the two games Embiid missed (the closeout Game 4 against the Brooklyn Nets and the Game 1 win over the Boston Celtics).
Reed’s playoff performance figured to garner plenty of attention around the league. One has to believe that he will receive a big offer, but Philadelphia will likely match anything that comes his way if he does sign elsewhere, within reason.
Prediction: Stays
Georges Niang
Niang has expressed an interest in returning to the Sixers in free agency, but one has to wonder if he will fit Philadlephia’s price range. He did average 8.2 points and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 40.1% from deep in the 2022-23 season so he is a nice piece to have off the bench and provide some scoring.
Prediction: Stays
Jalen McDaniels
McDaniels is interesting because the Sixers acquired him at the deadline to bring his two-way ability off the bench in the playoffs and he ended up not playing after Game 3 against the Celtics. He has the ability to be a nice piece off the bench for a title contender, but the playoffs looked to be a bit too much for him. In his defense, it was his first time in that type of environment so he can always build off of it.
Prediction: Goes
Shake Milton
Milton was a big part of Philadelphia’s rotation in the early part of the season when the Sixers were ravaged by injuries. He came up so clutch for them when the team was missing Harden and Tyrese Maxey, but he eventually fell out of the rotation. He did not get much time during the playoffs and one has to figure that he will look elsewhere in free agency.
Prediction: Goes
Montrezl Harrell: Player option
Harrell has a $2.8 million player option for the 2023-24 season and one figures that he will accept it and return. It is guaranteed money for him and he can continue to mentor Reed and be a nice veteran presence for this team. Even when he fell out of the rotation, he was cheering for his teammates from the sidelines.
Prediction: Stays
Dewayne Dedmon
Dedmon was picked up off the buyout market and he only played in eight games during the season and had garbage time in the playoffs. He was mostly here to provide depth and be more of a veteran mentor. He will likely seek another role elsewhere.
Prediction: Goes
Mac McClung: Two-way deal
Coming off a two-way deal, McClung is unlikely to have his deal converted here in Philly. He spent the majority of his 2022-23 season in the G League where he teamed up with Jaden Springer to lead the Delaware Blue Coats to a G League title. He also won the dunk contest back in February.
Considering the Sixers still have title hopes, it’s tough to see McClung coming back. He will likely look to find a bigger role and find his niche in the league.
Prediction: Goes
Louis King: Two-way deal
King is in the same boat as McClung. He is a solid player who has the ability to play both ends of the floor, but he is unlikely to return. He will look for a younger team in order to find his spot in the NBA.
Prediction: Goes
