The Sixers ended their 2025-2026 season with a sweep in the second round of the playoffs to the Knicks, the second time in three years that their rivals from New York ended their season. Their performance in that series left many wondering how they came back from down 3-1 against the Boston Celtics to win. The series against the Knicks proved the Sixers were further away from being true contenders than they thought.
A few days after their series loss, the Sixers parted ways with President of Basketball Operations, Daryl Morey. Philadelphia's lack of depth was on full display against the Knicks, and as the person who built the roster, Morey faced the consequences. The first order of business this offseason: hire a new leader for their front office. While Sixers’ owner Josh Harris and President of Sports for HBSE Bob Myers begin their search for Morey’s replacement, the offseason is in full swing, starting with preparation for the NBA Draft.
Philly Sports Network's Sixers coverage team will tackle multiple mock offseasons to offer different perspectives on how the Sixers should navigate the offseason. Should they do a full reset, go all in with the aging and injury-prone stars, search for more depth, or try to operate with two timelines?
Let’s start with the numbers because they dictate everything that follows. Philadelphia’s 2026-27 cap table shows roughly $182.79M in active roster salary before dealing with free-agent cap holds, incomplete roster charges, and offseason maneuvering.
The 2026-27 non-taxpayer mid-level exception (MLE) is expected to be worth $15.049 million in the contract's first year, based on the current projected $165M cap. Using that exception could hard-cap the team at the first apron, which would mean tough decisions about which potential players they would like to return.
Philadelphia currently holds the No. 22 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft (via Houston through Oklahoma City) from the Jared McCain trade at the trade deadline. A team that is strapped for cash, like the Sixers, needs to take advantage of its late first-round pick as it represents a cost-controlled roster option for a team that can’t upgrade its depth in other ways.
In this mock, the Sixers will take PF/C Chris Cenac Jr, a 6-foot-10 bouncy freshman from Houston. Cenac’s draft range could be anywhere from late teens to late twenties, and the Sixers don’t hesitate to add an athletic potential do-it-all big to their roster.
He projects as a rim-protecting, switch-capable big, bringing length, mobility, and defensive instincts that immediately translate to the NBA level. His potential fit alongside Joel Embiid could really help the Sixers' rebounding and add another rim protector.
Offensively, he is still somewhat raw but does have a high ceiling. His rim running and ability to be a vertical-lob threat would add another level of offense to the Sixers. The Sixers haven’t really had a true lob threat. Adding a player capable of that role, and if Maxey works to develop that aspect of his passing game, Philadelphia could see their offense open up. His shooting needs work as he shot 33% on just over two attempts per game from the three-point line, but scouts see his potential if he works at it.
Ultimately, the Sixers take a swing on Cenac Jr., potentially pairing him with Embiid at power forward or playing him at center. In recent years, the Sixers have hit on their first-round picks and progressed at a good rate. He could contribute in the short and long term.
In this scenario, the Sixers look to shake up their roster and secure some future cap relief in the process. The organization calls the New Orleans Pelicans to try to trade Paul George for Trey Murphy III, but it proves to require too many assets, so they settle on another deal.
Philadelphia receives:
G Jordan Poole
F Saddiq Bey
C Kevon Looney (club option picked up)
New Orleans receives:
F Paul George
2030 first round pick (top 4 protected)
Since George has recouped some value after his return from his 25-game suspension last season, and his good two-way play against the Boston Celtics, the Sixers look to trade him and a future first-round pick for three players who add some depth and create financial flexibility as expiring contracts. The first-round pick would be enough for the Pels to take on an extra year of George, even if only to potentially flip him again before his contract expires.
Poole saw his role decrease to the point that he was out of the rotation by the end of the year, but he could provide scoring, spacing, and depth behind Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. His defense leaves a lot to be desired, but he could prove to be a true offensive spark and be motivated going into free agency. Saddiq Bey was a target of the Sixers' last trade deadline, according to Adam Aaronson of the Philly Voice, so adding him to the roster provides positional flexibility and outside shooting. Looney would provide depth behind Joel Embiid at center, with Embiid's availability always in question.
Another trade the Sixers will make to bring in some ball-handling depth is to work with the Memphis Grizzlies, who should be heading directly into a rebuild. Ja Morant’s future is murky, and a trade is arguably a matter of when, not if, so the Grizzlies would not mind stockpiling picks.
Philadelphia receives:
G Scotty Pippen Jr
Memphis receives:
F Johni Broome
2027 second-round pick
The Sixers use a second pick just to move on from Johni Broome, who may not have a future with the Sixers, regardless of how well he played in the G-League. Pippen Jr adds some guard depth as a true point guard at the end of the bench.
To round out the roster, the Sixers have some tough decisions about whether to bring back some of the impending free agents. The organization will let Quentin Grimes and Andre Drummond walk, while focusing on bringing back Kelly Oubre Jr.
Oubre Jr. stated at the end of the season that he was looking for a longer-term contract and a place to call home. He won’t get any three-year deals in free agency, so he will return to Philadelphia on a two-year deal worth $20 million, with a player option after next season. He gets a small raise to continue his career in Philly.
Next, the Sixers go after some much-needed shooting and sign Luke Kennard to a two-year deal worth $8 million annually. Kennard would essentially be the fourth guard in rotation and could also be used as SF in certain lineups that need spacing.
To make these moves without hard caps, the Sixers would have to make some moves on the margins by declining team options or trading Dalen Terry and Trendon Watford to save money. The organization could also cut more costs, if needed, by waiving both Jabari Walker and Adem Bona before their salaries become fully guaranteed, but at the moment, they are roster depth.
Starters:
Tyrese Maxey
Bench:
Chris Cenac Jr.
Jordan Poole
Luke Kennard
Dom Barlow
Kevon Looney
Justin Edwards
Adem Bona
Jabari Walker
Scotty Pippen Jr.
The Sixers take a balanced approach this offseason, using some assets to get off Paul George’s contract and move on from Johni Broome. This approach added some depth around Embiid and Maxey to try to push for one of the guaranteed spots in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Not only did they add depth, but some financial flexibility, opening up a potential max slot in the summer of 27 to add more talent.
Is this the best path forward? Maybe. This allows the focus to begin shifting towards the young guards and helps build a team around an aging Joel Embiid. The Sixers may not be one move away from contention, but building a deeper, younger and more flexible roster would make them more competitive and more entertaining.
MORE: Sixers player grades: What to make of Tyrese Maxey’s season?
