The Philadelphia 76ers face a pressure-packed offseason. Daryl Morey set things up to maximize their cap space with an eye on adding a third star. Joel Embiid is their only guaranteed contract on the books for the 2024-25 season, and Morey will explore every avenue in adding a marquee talent. It may come via trade or off the free agent market, but the Sixers will upgrade.
Rounding out their roster won’t be easy. Tyrese Maxey is a restricted free agent and is expected to be back on a max contract. With a third star, Philly will have over $120 million tied up in three players. That leaves little room to fill out their roster.
The Sixers will look to bring back multiple players. They have Bird Rights on some and others may be convinced to take minimum deals. Finding enough depth and talent won’t be easy, but Morey has a plan. Here are their soon-to-be free agents ranked from least to most likely to return for the 2024-25 season.
11. Tobias Harris
The 76ers traded for Harris and re-signed him to a massive contract in 2019. It made the 6’8 forward virtually untradeable and changed the perception of his value. Harris is a quality role player, but he does not produce $30 million per year of value.
His tenure in Philly ended with a dismal playoff performance. Tobi averaged just 9.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 36.3 minutes per game during their first-round playoff loss to the Knicks. He shot just 43.1 percent from the field and 33.3 percent on his threes in the series.
Tobias Harris will be searching for a significant contract in free agency, and the Sixers will have to renounce his cap hold to acquire a third star. The 31-year-old will be wearing a different uniform next season, and he is not the only player who will become a former Sixer.
10. Buddy Hield
Hield ended up in Philly after he could not agree to an extension with the Pacers. The 6’4 wing wanted significantly more than Indiana was willing to offer, but there wasn't a robust trade market. The Sixers gave up Furkan Korkmaz, Marcus Morris, and three second-round draft picks to get the sharpshooter on their roster.
Hield did not exactly go off in the City of Brotherly Love. He averaged 12.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 0.8 steals in 25.8 minutes per game during the regular season, but was a non-factor in the playoffs. The 31-year-old scored just two points in the first five games of their series against the Knicks, including two DNP-CDs, before exploding for 20 with six 3-pointers made in the decisive Game 6.
Hield is a career 40 percent 3-point shooter. Yes, there are defensive concerns and fit questions, but elite shooting matters. Expect him to get more than a minimum contract in free agency, which likely seals his departure from the 76ers.
Philadelphia would rather bring back the wings that played a key role in the playoffs. They have Joel Embiid anchoring their roster and want to win a championship. Buddy Hield does not help them accomplish that goal, especially when he comes with a significant salary. If the Sixers bring him back, things have gone wrong this summer.
9. Mo Bamba
The Sixers signed Bamba to a minimum contract last summer to compete for their backup center role. Joel Embiid will handle the majority of the minutes and determine the team’s success, but Philly wants to have a capable reserve for when he misses time.
Bamba failed to grab that role. Embiid played just 39 regular season games, but Paul Reed was the team's number two. Bamba enter the rotation when the superstar missed time, but he averaged just 4.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 13.0 minutes per game for the season. The seven-footer never left the bench in the playoffs and was an afterthought when the former MVP was healthy.
The sixth overall pick in 2018 has zero reasons to return to the Sixers. He should be entering his prime and wants to play. Bamba has struggled to find minutes in multiple stops, but certainly won’t be playing over or next to Embiid. There are several franchises with more run available at the five than the 76ers.
Expect Philadelphia to be in the market for a reserve big man this summer as Mo Bamba moves on. Finding a gem willing to accept a minimum contract could be massive as the team searches for depth and versatility around their stars.
8. KJ Martin
The 76ers acquired Martin from the Clippers in the James Harden trade. The 6’6 wing played just two games with LA after a three-year stint in Houston. In his final season with the Rockets, Martin averaged 12.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 28.0 minutes per game. It exposed his shaky jumper, but the 23-year-old’s athletic ability created excitement.
Martin struggled to find a consistent role in Philadelphia. He averaged 3.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 12.3 minutes per game over 58 contests. Martin shot 54.4 percent from the field but was out of the rotation in the playoffs.
Putting a developing talent on a contending team is a recipe for issues. The Sixers cannot afford to live through his struggles as they try to win games, but Martin needs playing time to continue his growth. This is why the 23-year-old likely finds a new home in free agency.
The pressure for the Philadelphia 76ers will not end with finding a third star. They will need to fill out their roster and may need to convince as many as 11 players to join their Big 3. That won’t be easy and could force Philly to circle back on options like KJ Martin and this veteran wing they acquired from the Clippers.
7. Robert Covington
Covington was a key find during The Process. The 6’7 wing went undrafted in 2013 and spent most of his rookie season in the G League. Philadelphia was searching for talent and had no desire to win games, so they added RoCo when he was let go by Daryl Morey and the Rockets.
He quickly transformed into a plus 3-and-D option. Covington made first-team All-Defense in 2018 and opened the door for the Sixers to make him a key piece in the trade for Jimmy Butler. The future Hall of Famer wanted out on Minnesota, but without Covington, Philly might not win that bidding war.
RoCo came back in the James Harden, but the 33-year-old is declining. He has struggled to stay healthy over the last two years and averaged just 4.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in 16.1 minutes per game during his time with the 76ers. The 6’7 wing suffered a season-ending injury on Dec. 30 but struggled to get consistent run before going down.
Robert Covington made $11.6 million last season, but will likely have to settle for a minimum contract in free agency. Can he find a team willing to give him consistent minutes next season? If not, RoCo might end up back in Philadelphia.
6. Cameron Payne
The veteran guard has been on four different teams in the last year. He was traded to the Spurs last summer only to be waived and signed by the Bucks. Milwaukee dealt him with a second-round pick to Philadelphia to get Patrick Beverley. The 76ers needed some offensive punch and jumped at the chance to get more draft capital.
Payne is a flawed player. The 6’3 guard struggles mightily on defense and can shift too far toward scoring. He averaged 9.3 points, 3.1 assists, and 1.8 rebounds in 19.4 minutes per game over his 31 contests with the 76ers, but the franchise had a negative net rating with him on the floor.
Finding a backup point guard on a minimum contract may not be easy. Payne has familiarity with head coach Nick Nurse’s system and the ability to get buckets. It may not always be efficient, but the 29-year-old will score. The Sixers may need that as their options dwindle this summer.
The Philadelphia 76ers are not set on bringing back Cameron Payne for the same reasons he has bounced around the league. He is in his prime and a steady backup option, but offers nothing spectacular. Payne will create a few plays and get a few buckets while being an easy target on the other end. The Sixers could do worse but would love a more well-rounded option.
5. De’Antony Melton
Melton was the Sixers' primary starter in the backcourt next to Tyrese Maxey before a back injury derailed his season. His numbers leave plenty to be desired, but it is difficult to say how much the injury was a problem throughout. Melton kept trying to return, but could never get fully healthy.
The 26-year-old is known as a stout defender capable of making plays and spacing the floor. Despite shooting just 38.6 percent from the field, he averaged 11.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.6 steals in 26.9 minutes per game in 2024.
Philadelphia wants to bring him back, but Melton may command more than the franchise can offer. He just finished a four-year $34.6 million contract and hopes to land a raise in free agency. If the 76ers acquire a third star, they may not be able to offer him more than the mid-level exception.
De’Anthony Melton’s health is a key factor. He appeared in just 38 games last season and only played seven minutes in the playoffs. His back injury plagued him for months, and the Sixers know better than anyone if he will be healthy to start the 2024-25 campaign. If so, there will be interest in a reunion, but it depends on what type of contract Melton is willing to accept.
4. Kelly Oubre Jr.
Oubre may have been the best minimum signing in the NBA last season. He averaged over 20 points per game for the Hornets but was the odd man out in free agency. The 6’7 wing could not find a contract and was forced to settle for a one-year veteran minimum deal with the Sixers.
He responded by averaging 15.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.1 steals in 30.2 minutes per game. Oubre is a subpar 3-point shooter but played a key role this season. He barely came off the floor in the playoffs as the 76ers were knocked out by the Knicks in the opening round.
Keith Pompey reported Oubre is one of three veteran free agents the franchise is most likely to re-sign. The 28-year-old is in his prime and finding a 6’7 wing capable of scoring 15 points every night for less than the mid-level exception won't be easy. The Sixers have non-Bird Rights on Oubre, so he must be willing to accept a smaller deal to stay in the City of Brotherly Love.
The Philadelphia 76ers will need depth, especially on the wing if they plan on building a title-contending roster this summer. They know what Kelly Oubre Jr. can do and are comfortable with making him their sixth man moving forward.
3. Nicolas Batum
The 76ers received Batum in the James Harden, and he was an instant fit. The 6’8 forward was the perfect connector for their roster. He can space the floor, make a few plays, keep the offense rolling, and defend multiple positions. Batum fits on any contending roster, but is still searching for his first NBA championship.
Will the 35-year-old return next season? The Sixes want him back, but Batum reportedly planned to retire after this summer’s Olympics in his native France. Batum has long represented his national team and winning the gold may be the perfect cap to a stellar career. Philly hopes to convince him to play, but it is up to the veteran.
Batum’s numbers won’t jump off the screen, but he helped the 76ers win multiple games this season. His basketball IQ alone is worth a new contract. Philly needs more smart and connective players in head coach Nick Nurse’s system. Batum quickly caught on and was a key role player, despite arriving after training camp.
Nicolas Batum is not the most likely Philadelphia 76ers to return because he may retire. If he decides to play another year in the NBA, the 6’8 forward will likely be back to play next to another veteran the franchise acquired midseason.
2. Kyle Lowry
Lowry returned home after being bought out by the Hornets in February. The 38-year-old is declining, but his high basketball IQ, playmaking, and shooting ability can still make an impact. He won’t be dropping 20 points every night. Lowry is a steady role player at this point in his career best served to be a contending team’s backup point guard.
He averaged 8.0 points, 4.6 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.9 steals in 28.4 minutes per game over 23 contests with the Sixers. Lowry shot 44.4 percent from the field and 40.4 percent on his 3-point attempts.
He was born in Philly and played his college basketball at Villanova. There will be strong interest in staying home and finishing his career with the 76ers. He may only have one or two years left before hanging up the sneakers. Lowry is declining but still provides impact on and off the floor.
The six-time All-Star led the Raptors to a championship in 2019 and has plenty of playoff experience. Contenders want veterans who have been there, and Lowry certainly gives the Sixers that edge.
Expect Kyle Lowry to return for the 2024-25 season, but he is not the most likely soon-to-be free agent Daryl Morey brings back. Lowry’s return can be penciled in, but fans can put this one in ink.
1. Tyrese Maxey
The 76ers would have re-signed Maxey when he was extension-eligible, but the James Harden drama forced them to leave their options open. Daryl Morey wanted to maintain cap space to chase another marquee talent, but the plan only works because Maxey is a restricted free agent.
The 23-year-old keeps getting better. He averaged 25.9 points, 6.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.0 steal in 37.5 minutes per game in his fourth NBA season. Maxey shot 45.0 percent from the field and 37.3 percent on his threes as he won Most Improved Player and made his first All-Star appearance.
He is a bona fide star with room to grow. Maxey won’t be leaving Philadelphia anytime soon. The Sixers are expected to sign him to a five-year max contract this summer, and it is a no-brainer for the franchise.
Embiid and Maxey could become an elite duo that helps the 76ers chase championships for years to come. It is on Daryl Morey and the front office to put the pieces around them to compete for a title.
The Philadelphia 76ers face an uncertain offseason. Nearly their entire roster is headed toward free agency. Can they put together a contending team on the fly around their star duo? It won’t be easy, and Tyrese Maxey cannot be the only player the Sixers bring back. Expect plenty of movement, and stay tuned to see how it all shakes out.
