The Philadelphia 76ers are facing yet another summer with a massive amount of available cap space. For a team with multiple holes to fill, this is expected. However, the Sixers may approach this summer different than previous years. With Jerry Colangelo now in the fold, it signals that it might be time to start spending some money in Philadelphia. Sam Hinkie has been steadfast in his approach to pile up assets and build through the Draft to this point, but general consensus around the league is that this offseason, the 76ers begin moving towards actually competing. 

There are many priorities this summer, but none are bigger than finding a starting quality point guard. Ish Smith has done a nice job, but he’s a backup level player in the long-term. T.J. McConnell has been a pleasant surprise, but he’s ideally a low minute backup or a third guy on a quality team.

There are a few quality options available this offseason. Mike Conley is the big name on the market. Other players available include Rajon Rondo, Brandon Jennings and Deron Williams (assuming he opts out). In the Restricted Free Agent market Matthew Dellavedova and Jordan Clarkson are both available. Jeff Teague was reportedly available at the Trade Deadline and the Hawks could renew efforts to move him come this summer. Any of these players would be an upgrade for Philadelphia at the lead guard spot.

After the point guard position, the next biggest question is sorting out the logjam at the power forward and center positions. Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel are expected to finally be joined by Joel Embiid next year. After several years, there is still a strong belief that all three of these players’ best fit is manning the 5 spot.

Joining these three is Dario Saric. While Saric was originally thought to be a small forward, he may actually be a better fit as a perimeter power forward in the increasingly downsizing NBA.

Mixing in Jerami Grant, who has played best at power forward, will become increasingly harder with the added depth. While this isn’t a bad situation to have, the Sixers may be best served to use some of these players as trade pieces to acquire talent that is ready to compete now.

The final priority is to solve the lack of talent at the wing positions. Robert Covington has proven to be an incredible value, despite dropping off in production this season. He’s vastly underpaid for what he offers, so he’ll have a home on the roster next season. Unfortunately, he’s the only current wing on the roster who has shown the ability to be a contributor in the NBA as Grant is more of a small-ball 4.

Nik Stauskas has impressed at times, but hasn’t played anywhere close to his lofty draft status or proven he’ll ever be a rotation player in the NBA. 

Fortunately for Philadelphia, they have the available cap space to make several RFAs offers.

You can easily see the 76ers extending offers, potentially even max offers, to players like Harrison Barnes, Bradley Beal, Evan Fournier, or even Dion Waiters.

A name to keep an eye on in the RFA market is Allen Crabbe. He would give the Sixers a lot of what they need and they could extend him a contract that could give Portland pause to match.

Veteran options that the team could offer a large one or two year deal to include Arron Afflalo (assuming he opts out), Chandler Parsons (assuming he opts out), Eric Gordon, Nicolas Batum, Luol Deng and Jeff Green. 

At the draft, Philadelphia should have ample opportunity to add a difference maker. Should they finish in the first or second position after the Draft Lottery, they’ll be looking at Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram. Both of these players would represent an upgrade at the SF position and should fit in nicely with whatever bigs the 76ers choose to keep and build around. Having two later first round picks is nice to add further depth to the back end of the roster. Or they could stash a player or two overseas. 

It seems like all signs are pointing towards this being the summer the Sixers finally reverse course and start to actively attempt to build a winner. While not yet a destination for the top free agents, with ample cap space, good draft picks, and talented young players, Philadelphia should be able to add complementary pieces this summer. Getting into the race for the eighth seed would be a massive step forward. Settling for being competitive most nights and tripling their win total from this year would be nice. Anything short of that is probably unacceptable to the new regime at the top of the franchise hierarchy. For those who bemoan the philosophy or bottoming out and tanking for draft position, this should be a welcome change in strategy.

Offseason Details

Guaranteed Contracts (6): Joel Embiid, Richaun Holmes, Carl Landry, Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor, Nik Stauskas

Partial/Non-Guaranteed Contracts (5): Robert Covington, Jerami Grant, Kendall Marshall, T.J. McConnell, Hollis Thompson (If TO is picked up)

Potential Free Agents (4): Elton Brand (UFA), Isaiah Canaan (RFA), Ish Smith (UFA), Hollis Thompson (TO – RFA)

“Dead” Money on Cap (0): None

First Round Draft Picks (as of 3/4/16): #1, #22, #26

Maximum Cap Space: $61,220,813.00

Projected Cap Space: $44,332,103.00