Philadelphia 76ers Key player has Terminated his Contract that worth $66.2 million…..
The Philadelphia 76ers have 10 free agents hitting the open market this summer. Even when accounting for players with player options that could allow them to hit unrestricted free agency, Philly has the most of any NBA team. Daryl Morey said it best: this offseason will feature a lot of change for the Sixers’ roster.
In his end-of-season press conference, Morey named Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Paul Reed and Ricky Council IV as the only players expected to return next season. Maxey, a restricted free agent, is going to get a new contract eventually and both Reed and Council are on deals that are not fully guaranteed. With Embiid having the only guaranteed contract on the books right now, the Sixers have a lot of cap space to upgrade their roster.
But as much as Philly needs to get more 16-game players, particularly on the wing, it doesn’t mean getting an entirely new supporting cast. There are plenty of solid players to retain in similar or scaled-down roles on fresh contracts. But at the same time, there are some they shouldn’t sweat losing.
While the 76ers do have more than three free agents that would be nice to bring back, there are three they should prioritize.
Batum was an absolute godsend for the 76ers and the biggest reason why the James Harden trade provided instant value. If he decides to play another NBA season — which is in doubt after his wife said last offseason that he plans to retire after this summer’s Olympics — the Sixers should make sure it’s with them.
The veteran wing defended the opponent’s top perimeter player (and sometimes star centers) and was super valuable in big moments, namely his performance in the play-in game against the Miami Heat. His passing was constantly praised as the best on the team and his ability to shoot threes — including on the move and without much dip in his fluid release — made him the perfect role player around the two stars.
While Batum should be brought back, he should also play fewer minutes than he did last year. He turns 36 years old in December and dealt with numerous injuries this past season, missing as many as nine games in a row at one point. Pushing his minutes into the low 20s or high teens and making him one of the first subs off the bench will help keep him fresher while still tapping into his brilliant talent.
Batum can still play a key role on the Sixers but he cannot be as dependent on him as they were this past season. For what would be a one-year deal if he decides to play one more season, Philly should try its hardest to keep him around.
