ESPN’s Brian Windhorst names 3 players to keep an eye on for the Sixers
Another Philadelphia Sixers season has ended in disappointing fashion, this time in a first-round exit to the New York Knicks in six games.
The Sixers dropped the seven game series 4-2, and will now look to pick up the pieces in what should be a very active an interesting offseason.
The team will have plenty of cap space available to offer key free agents, and will finally be able to shed the Tobias Harris contract, meaning the search for a new third star to play along side Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey begins now.
According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the Sixers have three potential names they could target to fill Harris spot on the roster, Paul George, Jimmy Butler and Brandon Ingram.
"The player at the top of their list is Paul George," Windhorst said on ESPN's Get Up on Friday morning. "I think that Philly is going to come out with a max offer to Paul George."
Windhorst added that the team doesn't have to use its cap space on free agents, nothing that the team could use it in a trade.
"This is where I think Daryl Morey is going to go to work," Windhorst explained.
The reporter added the Butler and Ingram could be two players that could be attractive targets via a trade, using assets they obtained in the James Harden trade as chips to make a deal for one of the all-star players. He notes that while both players have years left on their current deals, they are both eligible for extensions, which their current teams might not be interested in giving, hence a trade could be possible.
So who should the Sixers target? George, Butler or Ingram?
Some other interesting free agents that could be on the Sixers wish list include,:
- LeBron James
- DeMar DeRozan
- Andre Drummond
- Klay Thompson
- Pascal Siakam
- Isaiah Hartenstein
- OG Anunoby
- Malik Monk
In addition to these free agents, the team could look to bring back some of their current players.
- Nicolas Batum
- Robert Covington
- KJ Martin
- Tobias Harris
- De'Anthony Melton
- Kelly Oubre Jr.
- Mo Bamba
- Kyle Lowry
- Cameron Payne
- Buddy Hield
Of this group, the team might have some interest in brining back Oubre, Batum, Melton, Payne and Hield, but its not likely that they all are back.
Oubre had a solid season on a veterans minimum deal and indicated he would like to be back, but he will likely get a bigger deal. Payne also indicated he would like to return to the team after coming over in a deal for Patrick Beverly.
Either way, once again it should be an interesting offseason for the Sixers.
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