The Sixers are facing arguably their most important offseason in recent memory. Two of their recently constructed starting five are set to hit the free agent market, along with some very important depth players. There's no way that the team can retain all eight pending free agents, but who should they prioritize?
Let us know your opinions in the comments!
Jimmy Butler
What a whirlwind Butler's time in Philadelphia has been. It took just a matter of days for 'Jimmy Buckets' to almost completely bury the 'locker room cancer' label that many had try to pin to his shoulders. Butler's leadership, camaraderie, and just flat-out production were worth every penny.
Averaging 18.7 points, 5 boards, and 4 assists per game, Butler was crucial in helping the Sixers get to the playoffs...but his real impact came in helping them advance.
With Embiid's health concerns constantly throwing up curveballs and Ben Simmons disappearing sporadically, Butler was the glue who kept a very young and seemingly nervy core together in the wobbliest times. Posting 20+ points and 5+ assists on five of the seven games against Toronto, Butler was invaluable.
The Sixers are in a unique situation due to the nature of the 'Bird exception', which means they could offer a five-year max contract of up to $190M, while other teams can offer four-year deals of up to $141M.
It all comes down to front office priority, but retaining Jimmy Butler to glue this young core together for five years until they all hit their prime could be the best decision they make all offseason.
Verdict: Stay
Tobias Harris
At 26-years old, the NBA's most impactful journeyman will finally be hoping to find a long-term home. After wearing five different home jersey's in his eight-year career, Harris may have made his grandest case for a bigger deal while wearing the fifth.
Averaging 20 points per contest and shooting 48.7/39.7/86.6, Harris was yet another strong addition from the Sixers front office. The 6'9 combo forward helped provide the spacing that the team needed. A threat to drill long-range shots if given the space, Harris has the requisite awareness to really play to the strengths of a starting five that will be inexperienced playing together yet again and given his predicted cheaper price, should be a 'no-brainer'.
The issue comes in the fact that Harris had the lowest usage rating during the regular season and that shrank even further during the playoffs. Harris may deem his only value greater than the role the Sixers had presented and you can't really blame him for that. If the Sixers can make him a more prominent member of the offense and utilize his unique skill set (as they should), then signing Harris would be a great way to kickstart the offseason.
Verdict: Stay
Continued on the pages below.
JJ Redick
Since joining the Sixers, Redick has been integral to the Sixers, giving them shooting efficiency that had previously evaded the team. His presence alone is largely what enables Ben Simmons to be so dominant in the low-post, but there's a slight issue.
Redick will be 36-years old this year and the Sixers just traded away Landry Shamet, their draftee who in his rookie year, shot a better three-point percentage than Redick has in all but three of his 13 seasons to date.
Redick may want more money than the Sixers can afford given the need to bring back Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris and if unwilling to take a slightly cheaper deal, the team may deem it more worthy to draft the 'next JJ Redick', or look at other shooters in free agency.
It may, just may, even behoove the Sixers to avoid giving Butler a max contract and instead see if they can lure Klay Thompson away from Golden State, retaining Tobias Harris and signing Golden State's robotic arm.
Meanwhile in reality, Danny Green (the Sixer that is destined to be, Jeremy Lamb, or even Wesley Matthews could provide cheaper, younger options if they fear father time catching up to Redick.
Verdict: A reluctant goodbye
Mike Scott
The Mike Scott hive doesn't quite rival Captain Cre'Von's crew ship, but it's been one of the most enjoyable aspect of watching the Sixers progress in 2019. He still 'aint no bi--h' and he wants to be a Sixer. What's not to love?
Scott was at one with the Philadelphia fanbase from the moment his gritty attitude first took to the court. Averaging 7.8 points per contest and shooting 41% from beyond the arc, Scott provided an instant spark whenever he was dropped into the game and should be protected at all costs.
Verdict: Stay, please
TJ McConnell
Nothing will ever hit like the bromance between McConnell and Dario Saric, but McConnell played through the heartbreak admirably. One of the Sixers' most beloved role players over the last few years, McConnell is another who grew at one with a fanbase that stayed by his side through all the good times and the bad.
The reality of the NBA is that it is a business and there is a chance that the Sixers move on from McConnell, but there's no logical reason to. He's important for the locker room, he's cheap, and had a 52% FG percentage in 2018. McConnell loves Philadelphia, and Philadelphia loves him in return.
Verdict: Stay
Boban Marjanovic
This is a tricky one. On one hand, there's the fact that you cannot have Tobias Harris without Boban Marjanovic. It wouldn't surprise me if there was a clause in the next contract offer that the team give Harris that kept Boban in Philly. Joking aside, Boban is yet another lovable player who can somehow hit threes as well as provides a nightmarish matchup inside.
But then there's the reality that the drop from Embiid to Marjanovic is substantial. The Sixers either need to find a middle ground Center who can keep the second unit producing defensively, or work something else out.
Bobi averaged 5.8 points in close to 10 minutes per game during the playoffs and he will undoubtedly be a cheap re-signing, but if the Sixers do keep him, there has to be a more productive center brought into the fold as well.
Verdict: Stays if Toby stays. My heart can't take losing another bromance.
Furkan Korkmaz
Fresh off a strong summer league outing Korkmaz was one of the players pounding the table for a trade early on before all the dust settled as he felt he deserved more minutes. 5.8 points over 19 minutes per game don't scream 'I deserve more minutes' and although he flashed potential, I don't think the Sixers keep Korkmaz past this offseason.
Verdict: Bye.
James Ennis
The Sixers can pick up an option on the contract of Ennis worth $1.85M and given his ability to match up against bigger players and give his all, it makes sense here. Ennis doesn't just provide depth, but was a key cog in the second unit's success against the Raptors. The 28-year old journeyman isn't the best shooter, nor does he have any elite traits, but the 'switch' offense that Brown runs lends itself to a bigger player who will win with hustle and awareness, something highlighted by his bump up in rebounds per game (3.6).
Another solid signing for the bench, this is a cheap and cheerful option for the Sixers.
Verdict: Stay
