As the 79th National Basketball Association (NBA) season commences, teams are looking to rebound and produce an all-new effort in their attempt to win the NBA Finals and secure the Larry O’Brien Championship trophy.
While teams that have not yet experienced the honor of winning a championship also improved their rosters, such as the Phoenix Suns and Charlotte Hornets – who both earned a “B” ranking from ESPN after gaining great veteran talent – the Philadelphia 76ers’ roster moves may outshine these two with talent and ambition. These are the efforts that earned them an “A” offseason grade from ESPN, as they added talent to their roster that would typically contribute to pursuing a championship outcome.
The big summer for Philadelphia began July 4, when the team signed their 16th overall draft pick, Jared McCain, to a four-year deal. The five-star recruit averaged 14.3 points per game (PPG) over 36 games at Duke University. The California native also shot 46.2% from the field, 41.2% from beyond the arc and 88.5% from the charity stripe with the Blue Devils.
Just two days later, the next notable 76ers acquisition came with the free agent signing of small forward Caleb Martin. Despite Martin’s departure from the Miami Heat this summer, he is certainly still bringing the heat to Philadelphia this year. During his final season in Miami, he served as a pivotal role player, averaging 10.0 PPG, 4.4 rebounds per game (RPG) and 2.2 assists per game (APG). These talents will certainly benefit the young Sixers lineup as they are brought up from South Beach.
While the 76ers have added a ton of young and crafty talent to their roster, they have also signed a multitude of veteran talent to the squad.
Returning from the 2021-22 76ers’ roster, Philadelphia has welcomed back Andre Drummond to the lineup. Drummond is a magician in creating plays, and it comes from his ability to clean the glass and catch rebounds off the backboard. The 31-year-old center spent his last two seasons with the Chicago Bulls, averaging 9.0 RPG, 3.4 of those being offensive rebounds. These offensive second chances led to Drummond obtaining a +2.9 impact in the Windy City.
The offseason move that generated the most buzz across all of NBA free agency occurred Aug. 3rd. After a lengthy pursuit by Philadelphia, it was announced that nine-time All-Star and six-time member of the All-NBA Team small forward Paul George was coming to the City of Brotherly Love.
As one of the monumental signings of the 2024 free agency, George brings veteran talent, ability and leadership to the young 76ers. After battling injuries throughout his tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers, George notched 74 games played last season, averaging 22.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 3.5 APG and 1.5 steals per game (SPG). These impressive statistics suggest a positive impact on the 76ers’ starting five and their aspirations of winning an NBA championship.
Capping the offseason, Philadelphia extended the contracts of players who have been critical to their success in prior years. Kyle Lowry and Kelly Oubre Jr. proved their worth to the team last season, hence their continuation on the 15-man roster, and of course, Joel “The Process” Embiid received a three-year, $193 million extension, cementing his status as the franchise player of Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia front office clearly kept busy during the summer offseason, adding depth and talent to their championship-capable core. As the season begins, only time will tell whether Philadelphia can finally overcome the obstacles to secure an NBA championship and add a banner to the rafters of the Wells Fargo Center.