The Sixers announced on Thursday morning that they’ve created a new development company, named 76 Devcorp, to spearhead a $1.3 billion project to build a privately funded downtown arena, as Tim Bontemps of ESPN details. The 76ers’ lease at Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia expires in 2031 and the team is aiming to move into a new arena for the 2031/32 season.
“We know the best thing, we believe, for the city, for our fans and for our organization, is to be downtown in a state-of-the-art facility that’s going to be privately funded by our ownership team,” team president Tad Brown told ESPN. “And that’s going to create a brand-new environment, a whole new environment, that’s going to also really give a great economic boost in a development boost to a part of town that really needs it.”
According to Brown and Philadelphia business leader David Adelman, who will head up 76 Devcorp, there are currently no plans to accelerate the project to move into the new arena prior to 2031.
As Bontemps writes, it’s unclear whether the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers – who currently share the Wells Fargo Center – would accompany the Sixers in their downtown move. Brown said the 76ers would like to have the Flyers join them, but intend to move forward with the project regardless of the NHL team’s plan.
Here’s more on the Sixers
- Sixers youngsters Isaiah Joe and Paul Reed outperformed Charles Bassey at the Las Vegas Summer League, according to Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice.com. As we outlined on Wednesday, there won’t be room for all of Joe, Reed, and Bassey – none of whom have fully guaranteed 2022/23 salaries – on the opening night roster if Philadelphia hangs onto Trevelin Queen and the 12 players who have guaranteed deals.
- In a mailbag for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Keith Pompey discussed Tobias Harris‘ value, the Sixers’ starting lineup, and whether the team should trade Matisse Thybulle, among other topics. Pompey added that he thinks Philadelphia will make one more big roster move either later in the offseason or before February’s trade deadline.
- In case you missed it, Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Wednesday that James Harden and the Sixers are in formal agreement on a new two-year, $68.6MM deal that includes a second-year player option.
I would LOVE to see Philly let Bassey go. Bassey to Atl is definitely something that needs to happen at some point this season
I would expect Korkmaz to potentially be let go, and them exploring a deal for Shake Milton, with them now having De’Anthony Melton. I think Queen makes the roster, and there is a chance they keep Bassey as depth. Reed and Joe should have had more playing time the last couple of years already. If 1 of them is let go, that shows how little these people know, as Doc Rivers somehow enters his 3rd year with them
They won’t go without at least 3 centers on the roster, so I think a Korkmaz and Joe, 2-for-1, trade, ($6.7M combined), makes sense. Though they might have to attach 2 2nds to get off the extra year Korkmaz has. They can’t go much above that number due to the hard cap, so maybe target guys like Coby White, Cedi Osman, PJ Washington, Cam Payne, Rudy Gay, Zach Collins, and Justin Holiday.
Furk, Thybulle, Shake, Bassey for Josh Richardson, Alec Burks, Will Barton, Jordan Clarkson, Malik Beasley (not sure I’d want him but he fits) would be the type of move, and it clears rosters spots.
No picks available to trade, just banking on someone wanting Thybulle and tanking enough to want the assortment of players and guaranteeing their deals. Otherwise they’re worthless in a trade for matching. Sixers need to steer away from hard capping themselves.
I’d rather not see Richardson in a Sixers jersey again, dude was terrible for us.
Beggars can’t be choosers. Limited options for who they can trade for without a pick attached. They did themselves no favors trading away 2 1sts for Harden, which was overkill.
They need someone that can play the 3, but most dudes available are 2/3 tweeners. And you’re only dealing with the bottom teams who will find value in that mixed bag of players wed send them.