After another early exit from the playoffs and Daryl Morey's idea of trading away most of his depth and picks for Harden backfired. What's next?
Draft
No draft picks
Trades:
Trade Tobias Harris for Tim Hardaway Jr, Reggie Bullock, Josh Green
The Sixers move on from Harris and improve their defence in a big way getting THJ, Bullock, and Green. THJ can play a 6th man role on this team with his scoring ability to help bolster what was a weak bench and improved defender. Bullock is a solid 3 and D player. Knockdown shooter and a good defender. Josh Green is a younger asset heading to Philly and will be a depth guard. The Mavs need more secondary scoring to support Luka. Harris would help in that regard in a big way.
Free Agency
Renounce rights of James Harden, Mike Scott, Kyle O'Quinn, DeAndre Jordan, Myles Powell
Do not guarantee Danny Green's contract by releasing him which saves them 10 million. Also do not guarantee Joe's contract which gives another 1.7m space.
Let Harden walk. Bite the bullet, they have to admit that they made a mistake trading for him and let him walk. It's sometimes a good thing to admit you're wrong right away, you may get a lot of heat for it early, but eventually, you will realize it was the right decision. Harden is still going to be looking for the max or at least very close to it, the Sixers should not give it to him. That is going to be John Wall-level albatross by possibly as soon as next season. Let him walk and renounce his rights to gain a lot of cap space. Scott has a cap hold of 9.51 mil, O'Quinn 1.81m, Jordan 1.796m, Millsap, 1.766m, Powell 1.576m (Source: Spotrac). All of them can be renounced as well.
Money to work with as a result of these transactions
Cap space: 29.4 million
Room Mid-level: 5.3 million
Sign Otto Porter: 3/24
They get a guy who can space the floor and defend at a high level.
Sign Gary Harris: 2/16
Bring more defence and floor spacing.
Sign Pat Connaughton: 3/33
The pattern of getting 3 and D wings continues as they bring in Connaughton. He can score off the dribble as well and provide solid secondary scoring. With the money and potential for a bigger role, he will choose to sign with Philly.
Room Midlevel: Tristian Thompson
The lack of a solid backup center has long been a concern for the Sixers. Thompson is capable of being a reliable backup. Gives you high level rebounding, set good screens, play defence, and not be a liability when on the court.
Roster
Maxey-Harris-Connaughton-Porter-Embiid
Milton-Hardaway-Bullock-Niang-Thompson
Springer-Josh Green-Korkmaz-Thybulle-Reed
Bassey-Charlie Brown
This team fits a lot better around Embiid and Maxey. They have multiple players willing to play off of the two stars and not demand the ball while players like Connaughton, Gary Harris, Porter being capable of attacking favourable matchups when they present themselves if the opponents are paying too much attention the Embiid and Maxey. All 5 players can shoot. The bench is a lot better with Hardaway there, Bullock and Niang are dead eye shooters. Expect Milton to have a bounce back season. The team overall would be one of the best 3pt shooting teams in the league and their defence would be much more improved. This team can be a threat and a title contender.