RIP 2017 Philadelphia 76ers
Rob
The process is showing signs of life in Philadelphia, as they have the most wins in a single-season since they traded Jrue Holiday to the New Orleans Pelicans for the rights to Nerlens Noel. Ever since then, Philadelphia has fallen off of a cliff, and has slowly picked itself up. With the future finally starting to look bright, Philadelphia has a real chance to make some major moves this off-season to (possibly) get back into the playoffs in 2018.
DRAFT PICKS: Their own first rounder, Lakers' first rounder if it falls outside of the top 3, can swap with Sacramento, and they have 3 second round selections
CAP SPACE: Up to almost $54 million
FREE AGENTS: C Tiago Splitter, PG Sergio Rodriugez, F Alex Poythress
PLAYERS UNDER CONTRACT
C-Joel Embiid, Jahlil Okafor
PF-Richaun Holmes, Shawn Long, Dario Saric
SF-Robert Covington, Ben Simmons
SG-Justin Anderson, Gerald Henderson, Timothe Luwawu, Nik Stauskas
PG-Jerryd Bayless, TJ McConnell
WHAT TO EXPECT THIS OFF-SEASON
Philadelphia could realistically have two top four selections if they win the lottery and the Lakers fall out, but the worst case scenario is just adding another top five selection to this roster. Point guard is the big need here, and assuming they land at their projected fifth spot, they would end up with someone like PG Dennis Smith Jr. out of NC State. If I were the Sixers, I'd also start looking at free agents who could actually help the team long-term and make a playoff push. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope would be a good fit here.
EARLY PREDICTION FOR 2017-18
If Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons are healthy for most of next season, I believe Philadelphia could make the playoffs if they make smart decisions this off-season. They've waited long enough, and they are almost going to have too few roster spots for all of these first round picks. They won't be lying down anymore.
