With a plethora of superstars set to hit the open market, the start of
the NBA free agency period was sure to induce major changes across the
league. Although the salary cap didn’t jump up as much as originally
anticipated, money was certainly going to spent in droves once the
floodgates were opened and players could officially put pen to paper.
Despite all the expected movement, the Sixers seemed intent on
bringing their core back from last season in an attempt to conclude
unfinished business in their quest for a title. Unfortunately for the
Philly-based franchise, it took all of a couple of hours of free agency
mayhem to cease all hope of that reality.
In a somewhat surprising move, sharpshooter JJ Redick joined the
new-look Pelicans on a two-year pact. Although Redick was only a member
of the Sixers briefly, the pain of his departure will certainly be felt both on
and off the court. Redick was not only the best shooter on the squad, but a
highly-respected veteran leader in the locker room with the playoff
experience to match. Replicating the success and chemistry Redick had with
Sixers star Joel Embiid will be no small order, but it also won’t be nearly as
hard as replacing the other wing player Philly lost to free agency thus far.
After just one season in the City of Brotherly Love, 4x All-Star Jimmy
Butler has taken his talents to South Beach via a sign-and-trade agreement
with the Miami Heat. Once viewed as a virtual lock to return to Philly, Butler
is now inked to a 4-year, $142M max contract with the Heat- spurning the
Sixers five-year max contract offer in the process. Unlike the departure of JJ
Redick, however, this move affects the Sixers on both ends of the floor.
As is common knowledge amongst NBA faithfuls, former Sixer Jimmy
Butler is one of the premier two-way players in the league. Butler is one of
the few players that fit the mold of both tireless scorer and tenacious
defender and his absence will certainly be felt next season.
Fortunately, sophomore Sixers GM Elton Brand was able to not only
get something in return for Butler- who could have simply walked in free
agency- but managed to land a young, talented scorer with a high floor in
G/F Josh Richardson. Since being drafted by Miami near the top of the
second round in 2015, Richardson, 25, has blossomed from a steady role
player to an adequate starter in just four years time.
Brand wasn’t done there, though, as he signed ex-Celtic F/C Al Horford
to a 4-year, $109M deal before the first day of free agency came to an end.
Horford may not be the sexiest pickup, but his defensive prowess, ability to
stretch the floor, floor vision, and team-first attitude should fit perfectly
alongside the new-look Sixers. With the talented big man in tow, the Sixers
once again boast one the more talented starting lineups in the league:
https://twitter.com/NBATheJumpFP/status/1146139797225955329
Whether or not this new Sixers lineup leads to more success remains to be seen, but there is certainly a lot to be encouraged about. Unlike the
star-studded, offensive-minded starting five of last season, this year’s crop
figures to wreak havoc defensively, with each member of the starting lineup
standing at 6’6 or taller. In a small ball era, the Sixers presumably have
decided to go against the grain and hitch their wagon to a jumbo lineup.
What I like most about their new starting five, however, is the amount
of efficient, low-volume scorers present. Last season, Brett Brown struggled
a bit to feed all his stars the ball adequately and keep everyone happy.
Embiid complained about being delegated to three-point duty when he much
preferred to do damage in the paint and ex-Sixer Jimmy Butler wasn’t too
fond of his role as a beta dog in Philly.
With Butler now out of the picture, the offense should prosper with
Embiid as the unquestioned alpha and everyone else carrying out their role
as complementary scorers. I’d expect the ball to move a lot more freely and
over time become a lot more difficult to scheme against than last year’s
group.
This freshly-minted Sixers starting five may not have the star power or be as fearsome as last season, but with three unselfish all-stars and two budding stars leading the charge, they should have little trouble catching up on the top seeds in the Eastern Conference and threatening for a championship.
Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
