Sixers head coach Brett Brown made it very clear that the team could benefit from acquiring a high-level free agent as they accelerate their title-contention timeline. That, Derek Bodner of The Athletic writes, probably means one LeBron James, though tampering rules prevented Brown from saying that outright.
The Sixers coach spoke in a press conference after his team’s exit from the second-round of the playoffs, saying that he believes the organization is an appealing landing spot.
Given that the dynamic tandem of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons wasn’t enough to guide the Sixers into the Eastern Conference Finals, the club is ready and willing to add the necessary reinforcements to make a genuine title run.
“I’m not here to tell names,” Brown said in regard to the type of player the Sixers will pursue. “To me, the answer becomes clear. […] It’s true though, right? I mean, like, we don’t have to turn this into calculus. It’s quite clear.”
There’s more out of Philly this evening:
- After head coach Brett Brown spoke of attracting a high-level free agent this summer, general manager Bryan Colangelo clarified that the organization needs to add high-level talent in general, which could come in the form of a trade or internal development, Derek Bodner of The Athletic tweets.
- There’s no denying that T.J. McConnell‘s future with the Sixers will be impacted by Markelle Fultz‘s growth as a player. “Markelle is a special player, that’s not a lie,” McConnell told Sarah Todd of The Philadelphia Inquirer. “When he plays at the level that they drafted him to play at, if there’s a spot for me, great; if not, I’m not really sure what I can do about that. Unfortunately, that’s out of my hands. But I’d love to be here.“
- The most likely draft-and-stash player to join the Sixers next season is 2017 second-round pick Jonah Bolden out of Australia, The Athletic’s Derek Bodner tweets. The power forward played for Maccabi Tel Aviv in EuroLeague this season.
- Unsurprisingly, Bryan Colangelo said that he has no regrets about trading up in the 2017 draft to select Markelle Fultz. Derek Bodner of The Athletic tweets that Colangelo doesn’t have an ounce of buyer’s remorse.
If he truly doesn’t have an ounce of buyer’s remorse, then he’s an idiot.
At the time, Fultz was the right player. If he resolves his head case issues in Summer ball, then it was the right player. Tatum benefited from the Gordon Hayward injury, and he took advantage of that. Once you have Kyrie and Hayward on the court, Rozier, Brown, Tatum, and Morris will be jockeying for playing time. It’s not a bad problem to have tho.
All they are giving up is the Kings pick. Who somehow didn’t finish last in the league sans Boogie. If the Kings make a run at legitimate players (75M cap allocations) not over the hill guys then this could end up as a fringe lottery pick, which typically doesn’t have a lot of value in most drafts other than this year.
He’s been in basketball forever and inherited this team from Sam Hinkie, I don’t think he really cares about anything at all.
Most likely he does have some but is just smart enough not to admit it publicly.
I’m interested to see Bolden on that team. He looked really good in summer league last year, and arguably looked liked he could have won a roster spot if they had one available.
They may not even have a full-time roster spot for him depending on how FA goes, probably would be a 2-way.
Worst case, they bring back the same squad minus Amir Johnson and it will all be 1 year deals. They need to figure out what they are doing with the end of the bench guys though if Ersan, JJ, and Marco return. Can’t rely solely on the old heads.
Bayless is getting traded. Korkmaz was injured all year. TLC didn’t improve. Anderson needs to work on his 3, the only way he’ll stick in this league is he becomes an actual 3 and D role player. If Bolden comes over, Anderson is likely on his way out.
If by some miracle ‘we’/they do land LeBron. Might as well rig the deck and attempt to bring someone else in via trade.
Use Fultz (8.3M), Bayless (8.5M), RoCo (10.4M), 2 1sts to land someone like Kawhi (1y), McCollum (3y), Lillard (3y), Beal (3y).
Don’t want any of DeRozan, Lowry, Conley, or Wiggins – not worth their contracts, not killer instinct players.
Dude there is no way they’ll get both Kawhi and Lebron. Just get Lebron, re-sign Redick and load the bench up with shooters and it’s over.
I’m not the 1st person to even put it out there. LeBrons personal reporter Brian Windhurst did.
Dude if they get Kawhi they’ll run off the next 4 chips easy.
Windhurts says he thinks they trade for Kawhi then go get LeBron.
If you’re saying Kawhi will put any team over the top for 4 years, that’s ridiculous. By that logic, Warriors (a better team than everyone already) added Kevin Durant (better than anyone except LeBron James) so they already have the next 3 years locked up.
How would it be over? Even with LeBron the Celtics are light years better than them….. dumb comment …. Celtics made Simmons look like a rookie drafted in the second round. Tatum is twice the player Simmons is and the talent of the Celtics is insane…. they may end up trading Kyrie to get someone like kawhi and add to our position less team …. haha Sixers won’t touch our jock straps even with lebum …..
Even with LeBron the Celtics are light years better? Tatum is twice the player as Ben Simmons?? Lebum?
Lay off the sauce my friend
When Gordon and Kyrie comes back, Tatum, Brown, and Morris all fighting for PT at SG or reserve time at SF. If they make a trade for someone who do you think they include in the trade? Tatum, Brown or Rozier smh
Lebron makes perfect sense on the Sixers. He’s worked on his game and can now score off the post in bunches with his fadeaway jumpers. He’s so much bigger now and his game is more refined on the low block that he could score 30 points easy with Ben and Joel out on the floor. He could literally win 2-3 rings with Philly and retire the GOAT. Lebron on the Sixers and the Warriors are done, so is Boston.
The issue with James with the sixers is Simmons can’t shoot the ball. James requires the front court to both be shooters. He also wants a big that can shoot threes.
What would the sixers give up in a sign and grade deal to get James’ bird rights? What will James want for a contract? One or more years? How many more years will he be relevant? And lastly, is James willing to throw away tens of millions of dollars to go to the sixers?
I’d be more concerned about team and individual growth towards a short to long term goal.
I feel adding LBJ would stunt this.
When LBJ hangs it up; these guys would have to reassert themselves into who they will want to become going forward.
If at no to adding LBJ
Let JE & BS grow
Sorry…
“I’d say no to adding LBJ”
Yea, LeBron really stunted Kyries growth and development. He takes bench players to the Eastern Conference Finals this year, but hes bad for development.
you just said Lebron stunted Kyrie growth did you see Kyrie without Bron that Cavs team was pure azz, they kept getting two top 5 draft picks every year they wouldn’t even come close to the playoffs
The Cavs were a horribly put together team during Kyrie’s first three years. Including two from what’s his name coaching to Mike “I have no offense book” Brown. They were tanking to get picks. Go ahead and look at those teams’ rosters.
Truth be, LeBron taught Kyrie how to succeed as a champion, how to take care of your body and what it takes to prepare.
AGAVE. I do completely agree with you I think this is JE & BS team, let them grow & learn, then this team can win for many years, there is no hurry for it. I do not understand why everybody seems to be obsessed with Philly aquiring a big free agent, do not need it.
By the way for Boston fans, this is your year, JB & JT are very good players, maybe even stars, but in no way they are generational talents like JE & BS, so really you think you are better? I have always liked Boston since the days of Larry & Co, but this team ain’t that good you know, Kyrie is just a star, not even that good & Hayward a borderline star, Al Horford is better than those two, anyway Philly is got a better future with better young players, as they have too Dario & Fultz
I just don’t understand any talk of, “I don’t even want LeBron”…wth… 1 of the best players to ever play the game,and you don’t want him. The man puts the team into immediate title contention conversations.Without him,we just got spanked by Boston,without Heyward and Irving.The question is LeBron or Rco,and as much as I like Rco,the answer isn’t even debatable.