The 35-year-old forward has agreed on a two-year, $9.6 million contract with the Clippers, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Monday.

Batum joined the Sixers very early last year via trade, leaving the Clippers as part of a James Harden-centered deal.

He meshed well in Philadelphia. Batum averaged 25.9 minutes for the Sixers and posted 5.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. He shot 39.9 percent from three-point range during the regular season and hit 9 of 22 triples (40.9 percent) in the Sixers’ first-round playoff series loss to the Knicks. 

Those numbers do not reflect much of Batum’s impact. Teammates like Joel Embiid regularly praised his poise, entry passing, pervasive intelligence and capacity to defend every position. The Sixers will miss all those qualities.

Batum’s 20 points in the Sixers’ play-in tournament win over the Heat were crucial, too. 

“I’ve played with a lot of great coaches, a lot of great players, so I’ve learned through the years,” he said after lifting the Sixers in that comeback victory. “I’ve been a pro for 18 years. This is my 18th year, if you count my pro season in France before I got drafted to the NBA. So I think I learned to be calm in the game.

“I try to understand who I play with. How can I be a great fit with Tyrese (Maxey)? How can I help Joel space-wise? How can I talk to those guys? … I don’t have the same legs, but I’ve still got my brain, so I just try to think the game and help my teammates be in the right positions.”

With Batum and Tobias Harris exiting, the Sixers still clearly have work to do at forward.

They’ve agreed to add Paul George in a massive move and also reached deals with Kelly Oubre Jr., Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon over the first day of free agency.

Harris has agreed to go to the Pistons on a two-year, $52 million contract, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported.

Harris has played 157 of his 897 career games for the Pistons. His longest NBA stint yet is with the Sixers, who acquired him from the Clippers in February of 2019. After the team’s heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Raptors in that year’s Eastern Conference semifinals, Harris then inked a five-year, $180 million deal to stay in Philadelphia. 

Though he had some solid seasons and strong first-round playoff series, Harris failed to help the Sixers advance beyond Round 2. He went scoreless on 0-for-2 shooting in the Sixers’ season-ending loss to the Knicks this year.

“It was a tough year just because of the injuries that we had as a group,” Harris said. “I think that we definitely showed we have the talent in this locker room and on this team. I wish we would’ve had more time to jell, and to see it through and have everyone healthy.

“But it was an up and down year for us as a group. We were composed in this series. We definitely came out game after game and gave our all in this series. Just an unfortunate result.” 

Over his tenure as a Sixer, Harris averaged 17.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists during the regular season. At the moment, his 575 made three-pointers rank fourth in Sixers history.

Detroit is in a decidedly different situation than the Sixers, who have picked up Paul George and plan to contend for a championship. Cade Cunningham and Ausar Thompson are among the youthful core pieces for a Pistons team that went an NBA-worst 14-68 last season. 

Harris mentored youngsters like Tyrese Maxey and Ricky Council IV with the Sixers. 

“I can’t even put everything into words,” Council said at his exit interview, “but he’s helped me a lot. He gets a lot of hate and I don’t know where it comes from. He’s a really good person. … The professionalism from Tobias is unreal. And that’s why I was glad I had him in my corner this whole year. I appreciate him for that, wherever he’s at next year.”

The Sixers have agreed in principle to a new five-year, approximately $204 million deal with the All-Star guard that’s expected to be finalized in the days ahead, a source confirmed to NBC Sports Philadelphia. It’ll be a richly earned pay raise for a player who made approximately $4.3 million last year in the final season of his rookie contract. 

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the news and noted the contract is fully guaranteed with no options.

Maxey was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player for the 2023-24 season after averaging 25.9 points, 6.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds. He’s still only 23 years old and the Sixers believe he’s capable of continued growth. 

“We should all learn not to bet against Tyrese, given that he’s beat expectations every single season,” Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said at his end-of-season press conference.

Sixers head coach Nick Nurse thinks Maxey can keep improving in several areas, including defensively. 

“I think a lot of it is just convincing them how good they can be at it. He’s got amazing physical skills, right? He’s so fast and so quick that he should be able to bother people,” Nurse told NBC Sports Philadelphia in April. “He’s a lot stronger than people think he is, too. So he can fight through screens, get over screens, block people out and all those things. 

“I just think he’s got all the tools to do it, and we’ve got to just keep chipping away at it. Let’s make that a part of who he is — a two-way player.”

Assistant coach Rico Hines told NBC Sports Philadelphia that he thinks Maxey “has a chance to be a Hall of Famer.” 

“He’s unique, man,” Hines said. “He’s a budding star. He has an infectious personality. He never has a bad day and he lights up a room when he’s in there with his infectious energy, contagious energy, good energy. … I just think he’s growing and growing and growing.” 

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On the other hand … they wanted a star wing. Paul George, for instance. 

Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey got just what he desired, securing a wee-hours star deal (is there any other kind?) Monday morning. George has agreed to sign a four-year, $212 million contract and become a Sixer.

This sort of news is not the norm for Sixers fans, who six years ago heard interim general manager and head coach Brett Brown declare the team was “star hunting.” None came to Philadelphia that summer, although Jimmy Butler eventually landed in November. The Sixers are accustomed to such dealmaking being necessary. Elton Brand’s five-year free-agent contract in 2008 is a rare example of a big name choosing the Sixers. 

Now the Sixers’ general manager, Brand himself would tell you that George has the loftier résumé; he earned his ninth career All-Star nod last year. As they did 16 years ago with Brand, the Sixers pounced when the Clippers decided against making George a satisfactory offer. 

L.A.’s firm, anti-four-year stance is not random. The Clippers have plainly stated that the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement guided their approach. Extended, excessive, bad contracts are indeed especially damaging these days, since going over the second tax apron is highly restrictive.

Morey has been well-aware of all that. 

“A lot of our moves are for planning in the new CBA environment, which I think is very impactful,” he said in February, “and setting ourselves up for those big moves in the future. … There are all these new rules coming in — limits your draft picks, limits your abilities in free agency. All these things are coming. We’re the best set up of any of those teams that are contenders, by a good margin.”

In terms of having the cap space to acquire a max-contract star, Morey’s assessment was spot-on. Outside of in-house All-Stars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, the Sixers started this summer from close to scratch.

Obviously, George’s star status alone doesn’t mean he’s destined to push the Sixers past their playoff woes. He’s 34 years old, lost in Round 1 of the postseason last year, and missed the 2023 playoffs with a right knee injury. As the Sixers saw with James Harden, aging can diminish players in both subtle and drastic ways — nagging injuries; decreased burst; one or two more shots falling short in fatigued fourth quarters. 

There’s tons of evidence to suggest a healthy George should boost the Sixers’ title contention chances, though. If Embiid’s unstoppable in the post or Maxey’s rolling toward a 50-point performance, he’ll be comfortable with a more peripheral, defensively oriented night. If Embiid’s hurt or resting, he’ll be fine firing up a dozen three-pointers and sinking some tough jumpers late in the shot clock. 

It also doesn’t hurt that George’s arrival should ease the pressure on 23-year-old Maxey — last season’s Most Improved Player — to immediately take another massive leap and carry the Sixers’ offense when Embiid sits. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse believes Maxey’s growth is nowhere near finished, but miraculous shots and 42-minute regular-season outings don’t look quite as essential with George on board. 

“I certainly like where we’re going, especially with Tyrese,” Nurse said after the Sixers’ first-round series loss to the Knicks. “I think people were wondering where he fit in this thing, but I think we all know now that Joel-Tyrese is a helluva combo to start with.” 

The Sixers now have a trio, so Morey’s new focus is on picking up the right role players. 

On the first night of free agency, Kelly Oubre Jr., Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon were his moves in that department. 

“In those situations, I like having the challenge,” Morey said in May, “finding the guys that are overlooked — the Kelly Oubres of the world. Getting a Kyle Lowry, guys like that. I like that challenge.

“I think that’s something that the front office is very good at. … I think generally, the history of the NBA would favor — even with the new CBA — get studs who can then put the work and the onus on the front office to find the players that fit around (them).” 

Whoever forms that supporting cast and however the next four years shake out, Morey’s determined run at another stud ended just as he’d wished. 

After declining his Clippers player option, Paul George has agreed to sign a four-year, $212 million contract with the Sixers, a source confirmed to NBC Sports Philadelphia early Monday morning.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the news.

George is a native of Palmdale, California, and played the past five seasons in Los Angeles. However, he’s set to join the Eastern Conference for the first time since his final Pacers season in 2016-17. 

The Clippers reportedly remained unwilling to offer the four-year contract George wanted. The team released a statement Sunday night acknowledging there was a “significant” gap between the sides in negotiations. That left the door open for the Sixers and president of basketball operations Daryl Morey, who intentionally entered this offseason with close to zero roster certainty and sizable cap space.

Last season, George made his ninth career All-Star Game. Joel Embiid reached his seventh and Most Improved Player Tyrese Maxey earned his first selection.

“I would say the biggest need is not at (Embiid or Maxey’s) position — someone at the wing who can play and deliver at a high level in the playoffs,” Morey said in May at his end-of-season press conference. 

Health permitting, the Sixers will be optimistic about George’s specific skills coming to Philadelphia. He averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game last year, and he shot 41.3 percent from 3-point range on 7.9 attempts per game. George has proven capable of meshing alongside fellow stars, playing a larger role when injuries arise, and effectively defending top wings and forwards.

Like the Sixers, George’s 2023-24 season ended with a first-round playoff exit. He’s never been to the NBA Finals and the Sixers haven’t been past the second round of the playoffs since 2001.

Now, both parties will hope George’s dramatic move East results in a big breakthrough. 

The Sixers have also agreed to re-sign Kelly Oubre Jr. and to add Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon. As they build around the new trio of Embiid, Maxey and George, there’s plenty more free-agent action on deck.

Oubre has agreed to return to the team in free agency on a two-year, $16.3 million deal with a player option in Year 2, a source confirmed early Monday morning to NBC Sports Philadelphia. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the news.

Late last offseason, Oubre joined the Sixers on a one-year, minimum-salary deal. He far exceeded the usual production for a player on such a contract, posting 15.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game during the regular season and starting in the playoffs.

The 28-year-old wing also made meaningful progress as a defender and playmaker in his first season under Sixers head coach Nick Nurse.

Oubre said in March that he’d honed in on “timing, not fouling as much, and just trying to be in the right spots” defensively.

“A lot of times I’m a good on-ball defender, but helping and being off the best players on the other team is where I lapse at,” he said. “So I’m trying to be focused and be there for my guys no matter what. If somebody gets beat, I’m there to help. We have to make extra efforts. It’s just effort and energy, that’s all defense is. I’m just trying to be really focused on that.”

Following the Sixers’ first-round postseason defeat to the Knicks, Oubre called Nurse “the best coach I’ve played for, straight up.” 

He sounded motivated to help the Sixers go deeper in the playoffs down the line.

“At the end of the day, I want to go to somewhere where they respect and they love me,” Oubre said. “It’s been nothing but love here, of course. … I feel as if there’s unfinished business and a lot of things to be done — and a lot of work to get better and to get us back here past this point and this threshold that Sixers fans have been wanting to get past for so long.” 

Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey called Oubre “such a breath of fresh air” at his end-of-season press conference.

“Kelly … played so hard, won over the city — which isn’t easy,” Morey said. “He gave us really key minutes in the regular season and the playoffs, so he’s definitely someone that we have interest in.” 

However, fans hoping for a flurry of moves right when the period opened at 6 p.m. ET were left rather disappointed.

Some popular names reportedly shifted teams, but it wasn’t the opening day experience of years prior.

Let’s analyze the first day of free agency with five winners and losers:

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WINNER: Victor Wembanyama

All the discourse about the San Antonio Spurs last season focused on a lack of a needle-moving point guard. That hole seems to be addressed for now, with Chris Paul set to join the team following his release from the Golden State Warriors at the start of free agency.

A few hours after the waive, Paul reportedly agreed to a one-year, $11 million contract with San Antonio, where he’s presumably going to start alongside Victor Wembanyama. Wembanyama already showed plenty of potential in his debut season, but playing next to a playmaker of Paul’s caliber can help him reach new levels.

Paul may no longer be in contention to win his first ever ring, but he’ll still have a significant role to play in Texas.

LOSER: Los Angeles Clippers’ starpower

The Clippers‘ marriage with Paul George is all but over. The star wing is set to explore interest from other teams, with the Philadelphia 76ers reportedly high in the mix.

Los Angeles’ Sunday saw it reportedly extend James Harden to a two-year, $70 million deal while also agreeing to terms with Kevin Porter Jr. on a two-year deal (with a player option) and Derrick Jones Jr. to a three-year deal worth $30 million.

It all but ends the George-Kawhi Leonard tandem in Hollywood, which resulted in constant disappointments and no NBA Finals appearances. Unless the Clippers somehow manage to land another star, they won’t be as strong next season.

WINNER: Orlando Magic’s defense

A rather surprising first-day splash saw the Magic agree terms with wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The deal reportedly is worth $66 million over three years, which does seem like a overpay. But quality 3-and-D wings are extremely scarce in the NBA, and Caldwell-Pope brings experience to the table as a two-time champion.

His fit is pretty clear with Orlando: He’ll be the 2 guard with Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. also in the lineup. Orlando deployed the third-best defense in the league last season, so head coach Jamahl Mosley has another quality player at his disposal to rise a few levels.

The reported move is also a huge blow for the Denver Nuggets, who most likely will have to replace Caldwell-Pope’s impact internally. If so, they’ll also trend a few steps down in overall depth, which hurt them at times this past season.

LOSER: Silence

A lack of moves arguably was the biggest headliner of the day. After the news of Paul’s waiving and Harden’s new deal with the Clippers, the next move was the Boston Celtics retaining backup big man Luke Kornet.

Other reported moves involved the Dallas Mavericks agreeing to a three-year, $27 million deal with wing Naji Marshall, Andre Drummond planning a return to Philly and Jonas Valanciunas intending to join the Washington Wizards on a three-year, $30 million deal.

Names with uncertain futures still on the market include George, Klay Thompson, Tobias Harris, DeMar DeRozan, Isaiah Hartenstein, Gary Trent Jr. and Buddy Hield, among others.

WINNER: Philadelphia 76ers’ activity

One of the primary weaknesses for the Sixers last season included a lack of quality depth. They addressed some of that early on the first day, with the Drummond move and agreeing to a one-year deal with veteran shooting guard Eric Gordon.

Drummond’s role as primarily a rebounding big has revitalized his worth, while Gordon averaged 11 points per game as a Phoenix Sun last season on a 44/38/80 shooting split.

They also reportedly agreed to re-sign Kelly Oubre Jr. to a two-year, $16.3 million deal after a solid first season with the franchise.

But there’s still more to do, as Hield, Harris, Nicolas Batum, Kyle Lowry, Robert Covington, De’Anthony Melton and Cam Payne all hit the open market.

And landing George to pair with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey would certainly be significant, so they’re on the right track.

Minutes following that not-especially-cryptic tweet by Drummond, HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported the veteran center has agreed to a “two-year, $10+ million deal” with the Sixers that has a player option in the second year.

That means Drummond’s in line for a second stint as Joel Embiid’s backup. The first ended at the 2022 trade deadline when the Sixers included Drummond as part of their package to acquire James Harden from the Nets. Over 49 games as a Sixer, Drummond averaged 6.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists.

The 30-year-old big man enjoyed his first run in Philadelphia and sounded quite open to returning in January of 2023.

“I think just how much of a family this organization is,” Drummond said. “They welcomed me. They made me feel very comfortable when I got here. We just had a lot of fun as a team. We really cared about each other.

“We had one common goal, which was to win as many games as possible and be great. It’s sad that we had to break things up in February. I definitely miss playing here.” 

With the Bulls last season, Drummond led NBA regulars in offensive rebounding percentage, defensive rebounding percentage and total rebounding percentage.

Whatever happens elsewhere for the Sixers in free agency, they’ll be confident Drummond can help them make necessary improvement on the glass. According to Cleaning the Glass, the team ranked 26th last year in defensive rebounding rate, and the Sixers’ struggles there played a significant role in their first-round playoff series loss to the Knicks.

In a broader sense, the Sixers will also see Drummond as a player who can step into starter’s minutes if needed and help them fare better than last season’s 16-27 mark in games without Embiid.

Entering free agency, the Sixers’ only centers under contract were Embiid and Paul Reed (non-guaranteed, approximately $7.7 million deal for next year). The team also selected UCLA product Adem Bona with the 41st overall pick in the NBA draft. 

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Minutes after the official start of NBA free agency negotiations Sunday night, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Klay Thompson “plans to have discussions with the Mavericks, Lakers, Clippers and 76ers.” 

The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported Thompson “is departing the Warriors and the sides will begin to work through sign-and-trade options.” 

Along with Thompson, the Sixers also have well-known interest in another 34-year-old wing in Paul George. According to Charania, George plans to speak with the Clippers, Sixers and Magic late Sunday night.

Everything is fluid in the early stages of free agency, so most analysis related to fit and team-building is contingent on how other dominoes fall. Still, it’s safe to say the Sixers are a team who’d appreciate Thompson’s outside shooting ability next to stars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

The five-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion is a career 41.3 percent shooter from three-point range. He shot 38.7 percent last season on 9.0 attempts per game. 

“We really value shooting given the rest of the roster — especially Joel,” Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said on draft night after picking Duke’s Jared McCain at No. 16 overall. “We just think Joel’s unguardable when he has shooting around him.” 

That decision makes Smith, who was on a two-way contract last season, an unrestricted free agent.

Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey has generally taken a fluid, flexible approach with his team’s two-way slots. The Sixers have agreed to two-way deals with undrafted free agent wings Justin Edwards and David Jones. Once they sign, the Sixers will have one remaining two-way opening. The team selected Duke guard Jared McCain and UCLA center Adem Bona in this year’s draft. 

After going undrafted out of NC State, Smith served as a fast-paced, extremely attack-minded sixth man with the Delaware Blue Coats. He averaged 23.1 points, 3.8 assists and 1.7 steals in the G League regular season. Smith attempted 10.5 three-pointers per game and hit 37.1 percent of them. 

He was also happy to play an aggressive style when he got NBA chances (mostly in blowouts). Smith had a 17-point fourth quarter and went 5 for 6 from three-point range in the shorthanded Sixers’ Feb. 3 loss to the Nets.

“You’ve got to stay ready and you never know when your name’s going to get called,” Smith said that night. “There’s a lot of guys down for us … so you never know when you’ll get that opportunity. I’ve learned to just stay ready and keep good energy.” 

Dowtin has played 46 total NBA games and suited up for five franchises. He made 12 appearances with the Sixers last season, averaging 4.3 points and 2.3 assists in limited minutes.

The 27-year-old is a 6-foot-3, defensively solid point guard who averaged 19.1 points and 5.3 assists for the Delaware Blue Coats last year in the G League. In his best Sixers performance outside of garbage time, Dowtin posted 10 points, six assists, three steals and no turnovers during a March 6 loss to the Grizzlies.

Philadelphia 76ers

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That outing drew plenty of praise from Kelly Oubre Jr.

“He’s had a journey,” Oubre said of Dowtin. “Coming from the G League, that’s a grind, right? For him to come out here and just stay poised and be able to do what Coach needs him to do, it says a lot about him as a player and as a professional. So I’m really proud of him.

“I love the pace that he plays with. I just love how he’s composed. He attacks when he needs to attack, he gets guys open when he needs to get guys open. I think that he has a place in this league. I just want him to continue to use these games and gain more and more confidence, and realize that he belongs here.”

Dowtin was the one Sixers team option decision this offseason. Going into free agency, which officially begins Sunday night at 6 p.m. ET, the team only has Joel Embiid, Paul Reed and Ricky Council IV under contract. Reed and Council’s deals are non-guaranteed.

George, who’s been widely linked with the Sixers over the past month, declined his Clippers player option of approximately $48.8 million for the 2024-25 season on Saturday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarwoski reported.

ESPN reported that the star wing is “planning to set up meetings with cap space teams and the Clippers beginning Sunday night.” Free agency will fully open Sunday at 6 p.m. ET. 

Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes reported the Sixers are “expected to aggressively pursue Paul George” and “a legitimate threat in luring the star away from Los Angeles.” George plans to speak with the Clippers, Sixers and Magic late Sunday night, The Athletic’s Shams Charania later reported.

The Athletic’s Anthony Slater reported George’s opt-out decision “seals” the Warriors being out on the nine-time All-Star. Though recently rumored to have interest in George, Golden State is firmly not among the teams with the cap space to sign a star outright.

Law Murray, who covers the Clippers for The Athletic, reported a “source close to George is not optimistic that he wants to return to the Clippers and that he is a “legitimate walk threat.”

The Sixers and president of basketball operations Daryl Morey set themselves up to have the utmost flexibility this summer by building a team of players almost entirely on expiring contracts. We’ll soon know whether that approach leads them to landing George.

The 34-year-old averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals last season. He played in 74 games, his most since the 2018-19 campaign, and shot 41.3 percent from three-point range on 7.9 attempts per game. It’s obvious why adding such a player next to All-Star big man Joel Embiid and All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey would sound appealing to the Sixers.

As PHLY Sports’ Derek Bodner outlined, the maximum contract the Sixers could offer George is a four-year, $212 million deal.

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Sixers first-round pick Jared McCain is known for his extraordinary jumper. Bona, the 21-year-old UCLA center drafted 41st overall, is known for his elite effort. 

“The one thing about me, you’re always going to get all-out effort from me,” Bona said from the podium at the Sixers’ training complex in Camden, New Jersey. “Every time I step on the floor, I compete and give all the energy I can give.

“I give all the energy to the team and get to wherever I want to get to. I think Philly’s getting one of the hardest workers in the draft.” 

Bona’s hustle manifested far beyond intangible energy at UCLA. 

As a sophomore, Bona won the Pac-12’s Defensive Player of the Year award. Though he dealt with frequent foul trouble — at least four fouls in 19 of 33 appearances — Bona tallied 1.8 blocks and 1.1 steals per contest. He’s a nimble, hungry big man defender.

And he didn’t start playing basketball until he was 13 years old. Soon after, Bona moved from Nigeria to Turkey. He’s gone on to represent Turkey at youth level.

“Growing up, I played soccer,” Bona said. “I think that helped with my speed and my agility and my (mobility). … Also, playing at UCLA, I played behind the Defensive Player of the Year my freshman year in (current Timberwolves guard) Jaylen Clark.

“I think that kind of opened my eyes to how much defense can make an impact in the game. … Obviously we play different positions, but just his alertness, how quick he is on his feet to go after balls, I think that helped me focus and understand how much defense can impact a basketball game.” 

Bona’s now set to join a team with superstar center Joel Embiid, who played volleyball and soccer as a kid in Cameroon and only picked up basketball at 15 years old.

“Joel is an amazing player,” Bona said. “We have similar roots. He’s African. I am African, too. Playing against him, going against him every day is going to be a handful for me. 

“And also, it’s going to be a learning process for me. To be able to learn from such an amazing player, it’s really going to be a good step for me in my career. Practicing against him every day and going against him in practice, I think that’s going to help me in my progression.” 

In those practices, Bona will likely see Embiid drain fadeaway jumpers and toss flashy open-floor passes. 

He doesn’t intend to attempt anything along those lines. 

“Staying true to myself, doing the things I do best,” he said. “What the team needs me to do, I will do it. Doing what I do best defensively, running the floor, using my athleticism. I think that’s what’s going to get me on the floor, so I won’t deviate from that and try to do something new or different.” 

Thinking about the transition to the NBA (and an 82-game season), Bona said he’s checked in with former Bruins teammate Jaime Jaquez Jr. 

Jaquez was an All-Rookie First Team selection for the Heat last year.

“I asked him how he got through the whole season … and he gave me a little advice,” Bona said, “which is that the little extra time you spend in the gym and the weight room takes you a long way. The little time you spend — more massages, more cold tub — those are the things that are going to get you through the long stretch.”

Bona’s plan for staying healthy and fresh in the NBA clearly does not involve pacing his way through games or shying away from contact. 

“I’m always motivated,” he said. “I’m always going to bring the motor, I’m always going to bring the energy. I feel like this was the perfect spot for me. This is where I wanted to be. This is part of the plan. 

“Falling to the second round doesn’t change anything for me. I’m still going to be the same person I am, bring the same motor. That’s all you’re going to get from me all day long. Nothing has changed about me.”

The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey first reported the news.

Jones, 22, is a native of the Dominican Republic who averaged 21.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.2 steals for Memphis last year. He was one of five finalists for the Julius Erving Award, which goes to college basketball’s best small forward.

Memphis was Jones’ third college after stints at DePaul and St. John’s. The lefty was a dramatically improved shooter last season, taking 6.5 three-pointers per game and converting 38.0 percent. Jones also took a massive step forward in terms of drawing free throws, shooting 6.8 per game and making 79.7 percent of them.

Shooting looks like it will be vital to Jones’ chances of eventually earning a steady NBA spot. Jones is 6-foot-3.5 and 211 pounds, and he doesn’t appear to possess blow-by burst as a driver. And though he’d have a much lower-usage role in the NBA, Jones’ assist-to-turnover numbers at Memphis weren’t encouraging. He posted 1.8 turnovers per game and averaged 3.0 giveaways.

Rice product Max Fiedler agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract with the Sixers, DraftExpress’ Jon Chepkevich reported Thursday. Players who sign Exhibit 10 deals regularly end up joining an organization’s G League affiliate and receiving a bonus.

As a fifth-year senior, Fiedler recorded 9.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game.

Over the last two days, the Sixers also drafted Jared McCain at No. 16, picked Adem Bona at No. 41, and agreed to sign Justin Edwards to a two-way contract.

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A source confirmed Thursday that Philadelphia native Justin Edwards has agreed to a two-way contract with the Sixers. The Athletic’s Shams Charania first reported that news.

Duke’s Jared McCain and UCLA’s Adem Bona were the Sixers’ two 2024 draft picks. 

Edwards starred at Imhotep Charter and was named Pennsylvania’s Mr. Basketball in 2023. The 20-year-old lefty wing is 6-foot-6, 209 pounds and has a 6-10 wingspan. He played one year at Kentucky and averaged 8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds in 21.4 minutes per game.

Edwards converted 31 of his 85 three-point tries (36.5 percent). His biggest scoring performance was a 28-point showing on 10-for-10 shooting against Alabama.

ESPN rated Edwards as the best available player following the draft.

Ricky Council IV did exceptionally well as an undrafted Sixers rookie last year, going from two-way contract to standard NBA deal and impressing with both the Delaware Blue Coats and the Sixers.

Edwards may very well be among the Sixers youngsters playing in summer league soon. The team’s opening game in the Salt Lake City summer league is July 8 and the Las Vegas summer league will run from July 12 through July 22.

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“We were really sweating the pick right before us, actually,” Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said with a laugh late Wednesday night from the team’s training complex in Camden, New Jersey.

As was the case when the Sixers selected future All-Star Tyrese Maxey, Morey described himself as “thrilled” to see Miami opt against taking a one-and-done guard. In 2020, Precious Achiuwa went 20th, Maxey 21st. This time around, the Heat picked Indiana center Kel’el Ware at No. 15 and the Sixers added Duke guard Jared McCain at No. 16.

“Jared, he’s just been a winner everywhere,” Morey said. “He’s going to be someone Philly loves. Pretty rare to get a combination of a guy that’s got some skills that will get him on the floor earlier, including shooting, but also with a lot of upside and on a very steep improvement curve, even at his time at Duke defensively. … As everyone says, we were pretty surprised he was there. We were looking at a lot of scenarios with trade out, trade back, and they all sort of went away when Jared made it.” 

Morey named no names with those potential trade scenarios.

He did volunteer that “there was a player offered to us that was pretty interesting; we’d move back a bunch of slots. There was a move back pretty far (option) but pick up … quite a few second-round picks and things like that.” 

Later, when asked about the Sixers’ desire to instantly construct a championship-contending team around 30-year-old superstar big man Joel Embiid and 23-year-old Most Improved Player Maxey, Morey noted the Sixers discussed a deal for “a player we might be able to acquire later, potentially.” 

Regardless of what comes next in Morey’s offseason, he’s happy to have McCain on board. 

“We had McCain as a top-10 player in this draft,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of roster opportunity, so if you can get a player who is hopefully rotation-ready at a very young age … I don’t want to put pressure on him, but we think he’s got the improvement curve, he’s got the approach, he’s obviously got a skill that the coach will turn around on the bench and say, ‘Hey, I need that skill.’ 

“He can really punish people in transition, really rebound. … I don’t want to put any tough expectations on him, but we really think this guy’s going to be a 76er for a very long time like some of our recent draft picks.”

Unlike with Maxey, it’s not necessary to feel McCain’s shooting percentages are destined to rise in the NBA; he was a very efficient college guard (61.1 true shooting percentage). 

No need to focus on form, pre-college stats, shot variety and other indicators to envision future success. Everything points to McCain being a terrific shooter in the present. 

“We really value shooting given the rest of the roster — especially Joel,” Morey said. “We just think Joel’s unguardable when he has shooting around him. … Early on, obviously Jared’s not going to be playing with Maxey a whole lot. It’s just hard for a rookie, but that elite shooting from two guys out on the floor is pretty hard to guard, and both of them make it really tough on if you try to guard them tight. I don’t have to sell Tyrese Maxey, but Jared can (also) attack a closeout and make a play.”

And while McCain’s three-point volume at Duke wasn’t Isaiah Joe-esque, Morey certainly liked that he put up 7.4 triples per 40 minutes.

“He’s already putting up a high volume of threes,” Morey said. “And being able to shoot threes at a high volume and be in the high 30s, low 40s (percentage-wise) is maybe the most valuable skill in the NBA. It’s on the list of the top few, so that’s a big, big part of the calculus with Jared. One hundred percent, absolutely.” 

Again, Morey ultimately felt that waiting (and sweating a bit) was worthwhile. 

“At Duke, it’s a big platform in college,” McCain said in a virtual press conference shortly after learning he was headed to Philadelphia as the 2024 NBA draft’s 16th pick. “Obviously that comes with a lot of hate and a lot of scrutiny wherever you go, but I think that’s prepared me for where I’m at, especially with Philly. So I think I’m ready for it.”

In the scrutiny department, McCain is familiar with questions about his size. 

He’s 6-foot-2 without shoes, has a 6-3.5 wingspan and weighs 203 pounds. He’s a stellar shooter — quick release, sound mechanics, great results — but McCain won’t be nailing jumpers over many players in the NBA. 

“Starting with high school, I’ve always been smaller or just average-sized,” McCain said. “Being 6-3 and labeled as small, it’s always funny when I hear that. … I’m just excited to continue to work on that and find ways to impact winning without being 6-9.” 

McCain’s shot is the item to circle — and perhaps underline a few times — on any opponent’s scouting report. He made 87 of 210 three-pointers (41.4 percent) and 77 of 87 free throws (88.5 percent) in college. However, he doesn’t want to only be worthy of minutes in the NBA if he’s hot from long range.

Along with being diligent defensively, McCain aims to chip in on the glass. His rebounding numbers were strong for a guard at Duke — 5.0 boards per contest, including a stretch when he recorded double-digit rebounds in four out of five games. 

“I definitely take pride in rebounding,” he said. “It’s something I focused on, especially toward the end of the year — just something that I feel is another way to impact winning. A lot of our wins and losses were (decided by) the rebounding battle. 

“So wherever I go, I try to do something else that’s going to impact winning other than scoring, because your shot’s not going to be on every night. If I can grab as many boards as possible, I think that helps.”

McCain happens to be just about the same size as star Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey. 

The notion that Maxey-McCain lineups would be relatively short is a “valid concern,” Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said. He wasn’t fixated on height, though. Morey called McCain “pretty special” for a player drafted in the middle of the first round. 

“Obviously your backcourt, in a perfect world, you’d have taller,” Morey said. “But I think you have to compensate with strength. He’s got a strong frame — very strong. Good rebounder. We think he’ll be a solid defender in the league over time. … He was (initially) being targeted at Duke and as the season went on, he became someone that was actually one of their better defenders. 

“He’s got the attitude that Coach (Nick) Nurse likes to bring, which is just get a little bit better every day. … We’ve had some good luck taking the kids with a real base of potential and a strong work ethic. We were really happy. I’m excited for Philadelphia to get to know him.”

Nurse’s history illustrates that height alone doesn’t need to severely limit players and shrink potential lineup combinations. Sturdy, savvy 6-foot guards Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet featured for his 2018-19 championship-winning Raptors team. Nurse joked last year that the 38-year-old Lowry is essentially a power forward on defense. 

McCain, who’s 18 years Lowry’s junior, is part of Maxey’s generation.

He’s similarly inclined to smile through anything in front of him. 

“I do the social media, I do all the nail painting, all that stuff, but basketball is obviously my main focus,” McCain said. “This has been my dream since I was literally 4, 5 years old, so I do whatever I can just to win and bring a positive attitude.

“And just have fun, man. I’m just joyful with life and I try to bring that everywhere I go.”

He is known for bringing the energy on the court … and off of it.

McCain, who posted 14.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game in his single college season, also has a huge presence on social media.

The shooting guard is just shy of three million followers on TikTok. His account gained traction through sharing day-in-the-life content, dance videos and moments between him and his teammates throughout the past four years.

Noteably, McCain has been known to paint his nails. If you’re wondering why — he explains that they’re a buffer to help him stop biting them. Additionally, he played well in a game after getting them done. So, while not superstitious, why change something that works?

“I know a lot of people disagree, a lot of people don’t like it, but I’m just gonna be myself, do what I think looks nice,” McCain said.

Also, I did the scrolling so you don’t have to.

First video, February 6, 2020, you’re welcome.

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Zaccharie Risacher from France went first overall to the Atlanta Hawks, with Alex Sarr, also of France, following at No. 2 to the Washington Wizards before Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard went to the Houston Rockets at No. 3.

Elsewhere, UConn’s Donovan Clingan went to the Portland Trail Blazers at No. 7 overall while the Chicago Bulls picked Matas Buzelis at No. 11 overall.

But while those picks feature some of the most prominent names of this class, there are others who could turn out to be better.

Let’s analyze the 2024 draft with five winners and losers:

WINNER: Devin Carter, Sacramento Kings

Drafting players is all about getting their profiles right. Are they unique enough? Do they have room to grow and how much if so? Though the 2024 draft didn’t have the most enticing talent available, Carter of Providence stood out early on.

The Providence guard measured at 6-foot-3 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan while making 37.7% of his 3-pointers on 6.6 attempts in his final year, hauled in 8.4 rebounds and has no issues guarding multiple positions, regardless of his size.

The Kings may already have several guards, most notably De’Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, Davion Mitchell and Keon Ellis, among others, but Carter is a Day 1 rotational player. For Sacramento, he can essentially be a better version of Mitchell since the former first-rounder hasn’t developed much offensively.

At No. 13 overall, Carter could be tremendous value for a Kings squad hoping to bounce back into the playoffs next season.

LOSER: Ron Holland, Detroit Pistons

Let’s make it clear: Holland is one of the better 3-and-D prospects in this class. But he doesn’t feel like who the Pistons should’ve gone for at No. 5 overall.

At 18, he’s one of the youngest players in the class with a 6-foot-6 frame and a 6-foot-11 wingspan. The G League Ignite product isn’t a great spot-up shooter but can attack the basket with his slashing skills. There’s plenty to like defensively, too, but the Pistons didn’t need his profile.

With Cade Cunningham anchoring the team, Detroit hasn’t done too well with surrounding him with floor spacers. Jaden Ivey, Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren are prominent players who don’t shoot the ball well, with Marcus Sasser and Isaiah Stewart providing the spacing. But Detroit needs more, as well as on-the-ball creators, to climb out of the bottom out East.

Holland doesn’t really fix any of Detroit’s needs for a top-five pick, even though he’ll have his uses.

WINNER: Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers

For teams hoping to contend like the Lakers, older players in the draft aren’t necessarily a bad thing. Knecht of Tennessee is 23 and is a multi-level scorer who converted 39.7% of 6.5 attempts per game from 3-point range.

He’s not the best shot creator, but he can score in spot-up situations or off-balance, so he should fit well in several lineups that include LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

At 6-foot-5 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, Knecht can connect the dots offensively even though there will be some concerns about him defensively. But he should also be a useful player for new head coach JJ Redick, who can certainly devise plays for him to help his acclimation process.

LOSER: Bronny James

After some buzz that Bronny James could be picked in the first round, he ended up not being called at all. The Lakers grabbed Knecht, as aforementioned, while the Phoenix Suns, another possibility, took Ryan Dunn out of Virginia at No. 27.

The 6-foot-2 guard has a 6-foot-7 wingspan with the potential to be a solid 3-point shooter, so he has the ability to be an impact 3-and-D guard early on. The intrigue will be on who selects him in the second round, if anyone does.

WINNER: Jared McCain, Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers have needed more players beyond Joel Embiid to create on their own. Tyrese Maxey has developed into a standout second option, with their newest draft pick potentially fitting the bill.

McCain, a point guard from Duke, is one of the better scorers in the draft. His 6-foot-2 frame with a 6-foot-3 wingspan has its woes, but he offsets it with efficient shooting numbers.

In his lone season as a Blue Devil, he recorded a 46/41/89 shooting split on 10.5/6/2.4 volume. He’ll have a role to play off the Sixers bench, which could become robust value at No. 16 overall.

Honorable mentions

Could be a winner: Tidjane Salaün, Charlotte Hornets

With LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Mark Williams and Tre Mann, the Hornets have promising youngsters at each position. Salaün, an 18-year-old from France, could fill the fourth spot. At 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, Salaün could develop into a solid stretch 4 if his 3-point shooting and on-the-ball abilities pan out.

Winner: France

Speaking of France, the European nation had the most first-round prospects behind the U.S. Risacher, Sarr, Salaün and Pacome Dadiet (No. 25 overall to the New York Knicks) were the four off the board, though it won’t be known how successful they will be until a few years down the line. Still, it’s another sign the game is becoming more international.

The team took Duke product Jared McCain, a 20-year-old guard who posted 14.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game in his one college season. 

McCain is a high-energy, charismatic player whose standout trait is his jumper. He shot 52.1 percent on two-point shots, 41.4 percent beyond the arc, and 88.5 percent at the foul line. McCain impressed in the NCAA tournament with two 30-point outings, including an 8-for-11 performance from three-point range in Duke’s win over James Madison. 

Though outside shooting is the most impressive aspect of McCain’s game, he’s got plenty of other strengths offensively. The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie believes McCain “uses the threat of his shot as well as any player in the country” and has a knack for getting where he wants to go as a driver. And while he presumably won’t be a primary ball handler, McCain is a comfortable, capable pick-and-roll player who doesn’t turn the ball over much. He also enjoys playing in the open floor and finding windows to fire his jumper.

McCain measured at 6-foot-2 without shoes and 203 pounds at the NBA draft combine. He does scrap well for rebounds, but it’s clearly valid to wonder whether he’ll be able to hold his own defensively in the NBA and how many positions he’ll be able to adequately guard.

The Sixers’ in-house All-Star guard, Tyrese Maxey, is also 6-2, but head coach Nick Nurse has historically been open to playing undersized guards together. The idea of McCain’s shooting alongside Maxey and Joel Embiid obviously held serious appeal for the Sixers.

Immediately after being drafted, McCain told ESPN’s Monica McNutt that he’ll be, “Just somebody who wants to achieve any goal he sets out to. A hard worker. I’m going to do anything I can to bring home a championship, bring home wins in general. I’m so happy to be here.” 

McCain is the first Sixers first-round pick since they selected Jaden Springer 28th overall in 2021. The team used the 23rd selection to trade for De’Anthony Melton in 2022 and had no picks in 2023.

The Sixers still hold the 41st selection this year on Day 2 of the draft, which will begin Thursday at 4 p.m. ET.

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Still, as Night 1 of the 2024 NBA draft nears, let’s run through key info and questions: 

When is the draft and free agency this year? 

The draft will be a two-night event. On Wednesday, the first round will start at 8 p.m. ET at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Round 2 will begin Thursday at 4 p.m. ET at ESPN’s Seaport District Studios in New York. 

Saturday is the final deadline for player option decisions.

NBA teams will be allowed to negotiate with all free agents Sunday at 6 p.m. ET. Those players can start signing contracts July 6 at 12:01 p.m. ET. 

Philadelphia 76ers

Sixers analysis Jun 25

NBA mock draft roundup: Final look at projections for Sixers before Round 1

NBA free agency Jun 24

Sixers reportedly see Caldwell-Pope as a potential option in free agency 

Which prospects could be in play for the Sixers? 

Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey is very open to draft-night dealing.

“As you might expect, we have all options on the table,” Morey said at his end-of-season press conference. 

For the time being, the Sixers hold the 16th and 41st picks. We’ve profiled the following players as possible options with No. 16: 

• Jared McCain, Duke G 
• Isaiah Collier, USC PG
• Devin Carter, Providence G 
• Johnny Furphy, Kansas SG/SF 
• Zach Edey, Purdue C 
• Carlton “Bub” Carrington, Pitt G
• Ja’Kobe Walter, Baylor SG

Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham and Colorado forward Tristan da Silva are among the other players who could conceivably be in the conversation at the 16th pick.

Who’s on the roster right now? 

Almost no one.

Joel Embiid is technically the one Sixer with a fully guaranteed contract for the 2024-25 season. Paul Reed and Ricky Council IV have non-guaranteed contracts and Jeff Dowtin Jr. has a club option. 

Of course, the Sixers view All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey as a core player and he’s in line for a max extension this summer. Embiid is also extension-eligible beginning on July 18, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks.

What do the Sixers need? 

Just about everything besides a superstar big man and a tremendous young guard. 

“I would say the biggest need is not at their position — someone at the wing who can play and deliver at a high level in the playoffs,” Morey said last month.

Defensive rebounding, supplementary shot creation, and overall level of play without Embiid were issues last season. And, broadly speaking, players that sink three-point shots and help you win the possession game tend to be welcome on teams built around Maxey and Embiid and coached by Nick Nurse. 

What’s gone down so far around the NBA? 

The offseason’s biggest move yet is the (Nova) Knicks’ reported deal for Mikal Bridges. The Nets firmly transitioned to a rebuild and picked up four unprotected first-round picks and one protected first-rounder in the trade. 

The Thunder landed Alex Caruso and sent Josh Giddey to the Bulls.

New York’s OG Anunoby, Indiana’s Pascal Siakam, Sacramento’s Malik Monk, Toronto’s Scottie Barnes, Miami’s Bam Adebayo and Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton reportedly intend to sign extensions.

JJ Redick (Lakers), Charles Lee (Hornets) and Kenny Atkinson (Cavs) are notable head coaching hires of late.

How’s the rumor mill look? 

There’s rumors all over the place about Paul George. The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported last week that the Sixers’ interest in George had “significantly waned,” but it doesn’t seem like anything’s set in stone with the nine-time All-Star wing. He’s got a $48.8 million player option with the Clippers for the 2024-25 season. 

Brandon Ingram has also been frequently mentioned as a possible trade option for the Sixers. The Athletic’s Kelly Iko reported last week that the Pelicans have “contacted the Philadelphia 76ers concerning a possible Ingram trade.” 

On the role player front, the Sixers may reportedly pursue Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported Monday that the veteran wing is “another backup contingency free agency plan” for the team. 

Charania reported that Heat star Jimmy Butler “will not be signing an extension with the Heat or any other team ahead of his opt-out in 2025 free agency.”

Ahead of Wednesday night’s first round of the NBA draft, here’s a roundup of recent projections for the Sixers at pick No. 16: 

Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo, ESPN 

Jared McCain, Duke 

Givony: “The Sixers are known to have conducted only a handful of workouts, possibly the fewest of any team drafting in the first round. That info has caused some speculation that this pick could be on the move, depending on which player falls to No. 16.

“Regardless of who is picking, McCain has an easy niche he can fill in the NBA with his scoring versatility, basketball instincts, competitiveness and smarts, making him an attractive option for teams drafting in this range.” 

Philadelphia 76ers

NBA free agency Jun 24

Sixers reportedly see Caldwell-Pope as a potential option in free agency 

Philadelphia 76ers Jun 22

The 16 best 16th picks ever in the NBA draft

Bryan Kalbrosky, USA Today

Jared McCain, Duke 

Kalbrosky: “McCain, an excellent rebounder for his position, is one of the players who was able to improve his draft stock the most during March Madness.

“The ACC All-Rookie spaces the floor very well and he forced closeouts on 29.6 percent of his offensive touches, via Stats Perform, which was among the most of any player included on the latest consensus big board.”

McCain reached 30 points twice in the NCAA tournament, including an 8-for-11 performance beyond the arc in Duke’s win over James Madison. He’s an outstanding shooter with consistent, well-balanced form both off the catch and off the dribble. 

Sam Vecenie, The Athletic

Rob Dillingham, Kentucky 

Vecenie: “Philadelphia has cleared significant cap space to go star-hunting, so, if the right deal becomes available, this pick could be used to further that goal. … The 76ers will likely take a ‘best player available’ approach under Daryl Morey if they keep the pick.

“Dillingham averaged 15.2 points and 3.9 assists per game this past season while shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from 3. He maintains control well despite playing at a fast pace, using a bevy of crossovers and well-timed hesitation moves to maximize his speed. Evaluators are confident he’ll be able to separate from his man in the NBA.”

Krysten Peek, Yahoo Sports

Rob Dillingham, Kentucky 

Peek: “Dillingham has been dealing with an ankle injury since the combine and will only be able to work out for a select number of teams leading up to the draft. Offensively, he is one of the best players with the ball in his hands and has that dog mentality that teams love. But what’s giving teams pause is his work on the defensive end, where he has average footwork and difficulty staying in front of players. If he falls to 16, the Sixers might look to pick him up as the best player available and someone who is used to playing alongside other ball-dominant guards after his one year at Kentucky.”

Morey happily capitalized on Tyrese Maxey’s draft-night slide in 2020, snagging the Kentucky product with the 21st pick. It appears Dillingham’s lack of size might contribute to him dropping past the lottery. He’s 6-foot-1 without shoes and, at 164 pounds, was the lightest player to measure in at the combine.

Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report

Ja’Kobe Walter, Baylor  

Wasserman: “(Walter) will get pegged with a safe label … a three-and-D 2-guard who can defend both wing positions. The lack of creation and playmaking may make it tougher for teams to picture upside worth a top-10 pick.”

Walter was a high-volume three-point shooter at Baylor, putting up 7.8 long-range jumpers per 40 minutes (and making 34.1 percent). 

Kevin O’Connor, The Ringer

Tristan da Silva, Colorado 

O’Connor: “Da Silva is one of the safer bets to find success in the NBA because of his two-way abilities, and the Sixers could use his size and versatility no matter what they end up doing in free agency.”

Kyle Boone, CBS Sports

Tristan da Silva, Colorado 

Boone: “Da Silva is a big wing who was a great shooter at Colorado. Da Silva is one of the oldest prospects in the draft. He is also one of the most NBA-ready players because of his ability to score off cuts, catch-and-shoot attempts, dribble handoffs and in isolation.”

Vecenie considers the 23-year-old German the draft’s best cutter. For a playoff team drafting in the back half of Round 1, the hope would be that da Silva could immediately earn rotation minutes, hit open jumpers, and smoothly adapt to a variety of roles. 

Indeed, multiple reports in recent days have linked the Sixers to the 31-year-old, two-time champion wing. 

Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer wrote Friday that Caldwell-Pope “would seem, at present, to be the veteran in line to benefit from the Magic’s cap space. Caldwell-Pope is also believed to have a potential home in Chicago, should the Bulls ultimately lose out on (Patrick) Williams, in addition to Philadelphia viewing the veteran wing as a backup option.” 

On Sunday, Marc Stein reported via his Substack that “Philadelphia and Orlando are weighing runs at Caldwell-Pope with their cap space if, as increasingly expected, he declines his $15.4 million player option with the Nuggets to enter free agency and field richer offers.” And HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported Monday that “another backup contingency free agency plan” for the Sixers “is the possibility of giving Kentavious Caldwell-Pope a similar two-year deal to Bruce Brown with a higher first-year salary and team option in the second year.”

The deal Brown signed with the Pacers in the 2023 offseason had a $22 million salary last year and a $23 million club option for 2024-25. Indiana shipped out Brown as part of its midseason trade for Pascal Siakam.

In a scenario where the Sixers don’t land a star this summer, Caldwell-Pope would be a logical player to sign to such a contract.

Philadelphia 76ers

Philadelphia 76ers Jun 22

The 16 best 16th picks ever in the NBA draft

Paul George Jun 20

Report: Sixers' interest in pursuing George has ‘significantly waned' 

He easily slots into any starting lineup, defends all sorts of perimeter stars, and knocks down three-point shots — 41.5 percent from long range over his last two seasons in Denver. And a Brown-esque, $20-plus million salary isn’t bad to have for a team always open to acquiring big-money players down the line while building around All-Stars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

Soon enough, all the plans and backup plans will shift into action. This year’s two-day NBA draft will begin Wednesday night, all player option decisions are due by Saturday, and free agency negotiations will fully open Sunday at 6 p.m. ET.

After our look back at the top 41st selections in NBA history, here’s a rundown of the 16 best players ever taken at No. 16 (in no particular order): 

John Stockton 

Stockton followed his four years at Gonzaga by playing 19 straight for the Jazz. He remains the NBA’s all-time leader in both steals and assists.

Metta Sandiford-Artest 

The 2003-04 Defensive Player of the Year was known as Ron Artest when the Bulls drafted him 15 picks after Elton Brand. It sure wasn’t the steadiest, smoothest career, but Artest was a fantastic defender, unforgettable character and NBA champion. 

Philadelphia 76ers

Paul George Jun 20

Report: Sixers' interest in pursuing George has ‘significantly waned' 

Sixers analysis Jun 20

Sixers draft profile: 18-year-old Carlton ‘Bub' Carrington already has plenty of game 

Dana Barros 

Before Tyrese Maxey came along, Barros was the Sixers’ only Most Improved Player. The 5-foot-11 Boston College product shot 41.1 percent from three-point range in his career and knocked down nine triples vs. the Suns on Jan. 27, 1995. Danny Green and Maxey have since tied that franchise record.

Brevin Knight 

Another sub-6-foot guard here in Knight, who led the league in total steals his rookie year. He played for nine teams over his 12 seasons. 

Nikola Vučević 

The Sixers landed Vučević with the pick after Kawhi Leonard in the 2011 draft. The big man didn’t crack Doug Collins’ playoff rotation as a rookie, got traded to the Magic in the Sixers’ deal for Andrew Bynum, and eventually became a (two-time) All-Star.  

Tony Delk 

Delk went between Steve Nash and Jermaine O’Neal in the incredible 1996 draft. He split his 545-game NBA career between eight teams and dropped 53 points on Jan. 2, 2001.

Jim Price 

Price started his career playing point guard alongside Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain on the defending champion Lakers. He made an All-Star Game in 1974-75 when he averaged 16.1 points, 5.7 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 2.2 steals. 

Hedo Türkoğlu 

The NBA’s first Turkish-born player was a highly skilled 6-10 forward happy to have the ball in the clutch. Türkoğlu was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player for the 2007-08 season and played a vital part in the Magic’s Eastern Conference title the next year. 

Alperen Şengün 

Turkish big man Şengün took a major leap last year in his third NBA season, displaying clever fakes, footwork and touch and averaging 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists for the Rockets. 

Swen Nater 

Nater’s remarkable story includes a stretch where he went from playing at Cypress College to backing up Bill Walton at UCLA to winning the ABA’s Rookie of the Year award. The Dutch center led the NBA with 15.0 rebounds per game in the 1979-80 season. 

Terry Rozier 

“Scary Terry” came off the bench for the first 164 games of his NBA career and then posted a triple-double in his very first start. Rozier scored 20 points per game over his four and a half years with the Hornets and is now on his third team in the Heat. 

Terry Mills 

Mills became one of the original stretch fours during his prime years with the Pistons and shot 38.4 percent behind the arc in his career. 

Rickey Green 

Known as “The Fastest of them All,” Green earned an All-Star spot in the 1983-84 season and led the NBA with 2.7 steals per game. At 36 years old, Green was the 1990-91 Sixers’ starting point guard.

Ricky Sobers 

As a rookie, Sobers featured for the 1975-76 Western Conference champion Suns (and fought Warriors superstar Rick Barry early in Game 7 of the West Finals). “The Super-Sub” averaged 13.3 points and 4.3 assists across 821 NBA games.   

Chris Gatling 

Gatling was an NBA journeyman who made an All-Star appearance in 1997. The 6-10 lefty logged 85 games — 45 with the Magic, 40 with the Nuggets— in the 1999-2000 season. 

Jusuf Nurkić 

Denver got Nurkić in a 2014 draft-night trade … and also picked fellow big man Nikola Jokić at No. 41. Nurkić topped the NBA in total rebounding percentage last year in his first season as a Sun. 

The Sixers are “expected to be aggressive elsewhere with (their) salary cap flexibility and draft capital leading into next week’s NBA Draft,” Charania tweeted Thursday night.

NBA teams were officially allowed to begin negotiating with their own free agents the day after the Celtics’ championship-clinching win. The draft is set for next Wednesday and next Thursday, and negotiations with all free agents will open June 30 at 6 p.m. ET.

The Sixers have been widely linked to George since shortly following their first-round playoff loss to the Knicks. Joel Embiid is the team’s one player currently under a guaranteed contract for the 2024-25 season. The Sixers are the rare playoff-caliber team capable of landing another big-money, top-end talent and president of basketball operations Daryl Morey has historically not been shy about going after stars. 

For now, they’ve got an All-Star guard in Tyrese Maxey and a world-class center in Embiid. 

“I would say the biggest need is not at their position — someone at the wing who can play and deliver at a high level in the playoffs,” Morey said at his end-of-season press conference.

George made his ninth All-Star Game last season and averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals. The 34-year-old has until June 29 to exercise his $48.8 million player option for next season. He and the Clippers have not been on the same page yet about a potential contract extension.

Brandon Ingram and OG Anunoby are two other extension-eligible players in the ever-swirling rumor mill. The Athletic’s Kelly Iko reported Thursday that the Pelicans “contacted the Philadelphia 76ers concerning a possible Ingram trade.” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said Tuesday that “most people believe Anunoby will stay with New York, but there have been indications that he may want to test the market because he’s not thrilled with what the Knicks” have offered. 

In terms of role players, Nicolas Batum, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Kyle Lowry are among the Sixers’ notable internal free agents. We’ll have a sharper sense of the external market after the draft and post-option deadlines.

As things stand, the Sixers hold the 16th and 41st picks in the draft and it remains to be seen how exactly Morey will handle this intriguing offseason. 

• Position: Guard     
• Height: 6-3.75 (without shoes) 
• Weight: 195 pounds 
• College: Pittsburgh  

Strengths 

Carrington is exceptionally young — 18 years old for one more month — and coming off a college season that started with a triple-double vs. North Carolina A&T and ended with a 24-point performance vs. North Carolina.

He has impressive “wiggle” as a ball handler. Carrington uses subtle hesitations, step-backs and other well-honed tricks to squeeze off jumpers. He looks like he’ll be very comfortable pulling up and sinking shots against drop coverage in the NBA. 

Defensively, Carrington has some appealing tools. He’s got good size and length (6-8 wingspan), and he clearly cares about holding his own. 

“My dad was a coach; I grew up playing for him. I wasn’t always this skilled, I wasn’t always this size,” Carrington told No Ceilings’ Corey Tulaba and Albert Ghim. “The only way my own father would play me is if I could stop the (other) team’s best player. Defense was just always instilled in me. You’ve got to be able to guard. … And it’s a mentality. I hate when people score on me. I truly do, so why not work as hard as I can to prevent that from happening?”

For a freshman lead guard, Carrington’s assist-to-turnover ratio (4.1 assists, 1.9 giveaways per game) was excellent. He wants to make sound decisions, and it helps that he seems to have a natural feel for the nuances of pace and angles in the pick-and-roll. 

Carrington is willing and able to chip in on the glass. He was the shortest player among the ACC’s top 15 in defensive rebounds.

Weaknesses 

Efficiency wasn’t Carrington’s strong suit at Pitt. He shot 41.2 percent from the field and 32.2 percent from three-point range. To be fair, those surface numbers are unflattering; Carrington was a high-volume three-point shooter (6.1 attempts per game) and hit 78.5 percent of his 2.8 free-throw attempts per contest. 

Carrington doesn’t have incredible downhill burst and didn’t have much success in the paint last season. According to NBA.com, he only made 50.9 percent of his shots around the basket at Pitt, which ranked in the 27th percentile nationally. This aspect of Carrington’s game is a bit reminiscent of second-year Mavs guard Jaden Hardy.

Will Carrington become a serious catch-and-shoot threat in the NBA? It’s easy to identify reasons for optimism on that front — for instance, he shot 38 percent from three-point range and 86 percent from the foul line as a high school senior — but it’s not a lock that Carrington will pan out as a knockdown shooter who’s adept at both guard spots. 

While Carrington was safe and solid with the ball offensively, he did very little last year in terms of forcing turnovers. Over 33 college games, he recorded just 27 “stocks” (19 steals and eight blocks).

Fit 

The Sixers’ quasi-blank slate situation means that fit shouldn’t be a major focus with the 16th pick.

With that said, Carrington’s size is a plus in projecting whether he’d eventually be able to do well alongside Tyrese Maxey. Wherever he goes, Carrington will be the youngest in the locker room and have obvious potential to grow. 

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NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Clark first reported the news.

A source later added that Dekker was part of a workout with multiple other former NBA players, including Tony Bradley, Stanley Johnson and Jarrett Culver.

Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey took the 6-foot-8 Dekker with the 18th overall pick in 2015. The Wisconsin product wound up playing 80 games for Morey’s Rockets before being dealt to the Clippers. He’s played almost entirely overseas since the 2018-19 season, though Dekker did make one regular-season appearance for the 2021-22 Raptors (under current Sixers head coach Nick Nurse). All told, Dekker has 201 NBA outings and averages of 5.4 points and 3.0 rebounds.

He’s excelled the last two years in the British Basketball League, where Nurse spent much of his time before reaching the NBA. Dekker was the league’s 2022-23 MVP, posting 17.1 points per game.

This year, Dekker earned the BBL’s playoff final MVP for a 17-point, 10-rebound performance capped by a game-winning three-pointer.

Bradley, Culver and Johnson all played in the G League last year.

Bradley is a 26-year-old big man who made 20 appearances for the 2020-21 Sixers before moving to the Thunder in the team’s trade for George Hill. He’s historically been a good rebounder who sticks to the basics, rarely attempting perimeter shots or straying from his comfort zone.

Culver was the sixth overall selection of the 2019 draft. The 6-6 wing was a regular for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers last season and averaged 20.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals during the G League regular season. He shot 38.0 percent from three-point range, which was easily his best mark yet as a professional.

Johnson is another former top-10 pick looking to find a way back into the NBA. He prides himself on his defense and was a member of Nurse’s 2019-20 and ’20-21 Raptors teams.

Almost nothing is certain about the Sixers’ roster at the moment beyond their plan to keep building around All-Stars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

Following the Celtics’ title-clinching victory Monday night, NBA teams are formally permitted to begin negotiations with their own free agents. Teams can officially sign all free agents to contracts starting on July 6 at 12:01 p.m. ET.

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Embiid appeared on ESPN’s NBA Countdown show Friday night in Dallas before the Mavericks extended the NBA Finals with a 38-point Game 4 win over the Celtics. He was asked about Boston being on the verge of a championship. 

“I can’t stand them,” he said. “I can’t stand them; I hate Boston. Great city, great fans, obviously they’ve got some great players. But it hurts me a lot.”

Embiid then wrapped up his response with a very intentional glance at fellow player panelist Paul George. 

“Hopefully, this offseason we find a way to get better and add some pieces,” he said with a grin. 

The Sixers’ interest in George has been heavily reported. The nine-time All-Star wing has not yet received an extension offer he likes from the Clippers and the Sixers are uniquely positioned this summer to make big-money offers to such a star potential free agent. George has a $48.8 million player option for the 2024-25 season. 

Neither the 30-year-old Embiid nor the 34-year-old George have reached the Finals in their careers.

“That’s the goal,” Embiid said. “You want to win a championship. All I care about is legacy. How can I find a way to accomplish what it is that I want to accomplish? And that’s win a championship. Whether I’ve got to find a way to do it with what I have or with what they put in place for us to win, I’m going to try my best to make it happen.”

“This is my first Finals appearance and I hate that it had to come in this fashion,” George said. “Watching it from the sideline, it doesn’t feel good. Shout out to the two teams that made it this far. But when you think back on what we should’ve done and could’ve done better to be where they’re at right now … all of the little plays, you start to think about them.” 

Embiid played through Bell’s palsy and left knee problems this postseason during the Sixers’ tight first-round series loss to the Knicks. 

He said he’s “doing great” and “just getting ready for the Olympics” with Team USA. Following a series of exhibition games next month, the squad’s first group-stage action in Paris will be July 28 vs. Serbia. 

“It’s going to be big for me because I’ve been dreaming about it since I was a kid,” Embiid said. “I’m excited about it, just to be part of the experience. Growing up and watching it, I just wanted to be in it. But I feel pretty good. I’m excited to get back and go to work.”

And as far as what’s next in the NBA, Embiid disagreed with the notion that the Celtics could be in the early stages of a dynasty. 

“I don’t think so,” he said, “not with the new CBA. And you’ve also got to understand that the whole (Eastern Conference) was hurt this year, myself included. … I’m the MVP. Don’t forget that. I’ve just got to get a little bit of luck, stay healthy, and I know everything else is going to take care of itself.” 

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Police in Scottsdale were called to 68th Street and Chaparral Road just before 3 a.m. for reports of a disturbance, officials said.

When officers made it to the scene, they interacted with two people, police said. Officials later identified one as Cameron Payne.

Payne was arrested for not telling officers his real name as well as providing a false report to law enforcement, according to police.

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The Sixer was taken to the Scottsdale City Jail and later released, officials said.

Payne was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in February after previously playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Payne has had an up-and-down NBA career.

He had stints in the G League and the Chinese Basketball League before reviving his career in 2020 when he became a key contributor for the Phoenix Suns, helping them reach the NBA Finals in 2021.

NBC10 has reached out to the Sixers for comment and has not heard back yet.

What caliber of player can you historically find at those spots? In a literal sense, the answer at No. 41 is a three-time MVP. Nikola Jokic is clearly an outlier, but it is indeed possible to strike gold just about anywhere in the draft.

The best 41st pick ever is self-evident, but here’s an unscientific look at the top 13 of all time (in no particular order):

Nikola Jokic 

Famously drafted 10 years ago during a Taco Bell commercial, Jokic joined the Nuggets a season later. He’s racked up six All-Star selections, those three MVPs, 130 triple-doubles, and an NBA championship while tossing many casually incredible assists. 

Cuttino Mobley 

Mobley teamed up with Steve Francis in his second season and the duo formed an entertaining backcourt with the Rockets. A Philadelphia native, Mobley averaged 18.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals from the 2000-01 through ’04-05 seasons. 

Popeye Jones 

Jones’ 11-year NBA playing career included a 28-rebound performance on Jan. 9, 1996, which still stands as the Mavericks’ franchise record. He’s now an assistant coach for the Jokic-led Nuggets. 

Jodie Meeks 

Meeks got traded from the Bucks to the Sixers as a rookie and found a consistent role in Philadelphia. The Kentucky product’s last NBA action came as a member of the 2018-19 title-winning Raptors. 

Francisco Elson 

Elson just so happened to move with Meeks in that same 2010 Bucks-Sixers trade. After being drafted by Denver in 1999, the Dutch big man spent four seasons in Spain. He played six games for the Sixers at the tail end of his 472-game NBA career. 

Jawann Oldham 

Another journeyman center taken by the Nuggets, Oldham crossed paths with a young Michael Jordan on the Bulls. 

T.R. Dunn 

Drafted by the Trail Blazers in 1977, Dunn was an every-game fixture for the Nuggets at shooting guard through most of the 1980s alongside Hall of Famer Alex English. Dunn never scored much, but he made the NBA’s All-Defensive Second Team on three occasions. He ranks fourth in Nuggets history in games played, eighth in offensive rebounds and second in steals. 

Tre Jones 

The 24-year-old Jones is the youngest player on our list. He’s been a steady point guard for the Spurs, averaging 11.4 points, 6.4 assists and only 1.6 turnovers over his last two seasons. 

Jerome Whitehead 

Whitehead made a buzzer-beating shot for Marquette in the Final Four and won the 1977 NCAA tournament. His most productive year of an 11-season NBA career was 1981-82, when he posted 13.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game for the San Diego Clippers. Whitehead died in 2012 at 56 years old.

Willie Green 

Acquired by the Sixers from the Sonics in a 2003 draft-deal draft, Green spent his first seven NBA seasons in Philadelphia before being traded to New Orleans, where he’d one day serve as head coach. 

Pat Connaughton 

A year after going in the fourth round of the MLB draft, Connaughton went in the second round of the NBA draft. Putting up jumpers instead of throwing heaters has worked out fine for him. Connaughton played in all 23 postseason games of the Bucks’ 2021 championship run. 

Otis Smith 

Three years after being selected by the Nuggets, Smith joined the Magic through the NBA’s 1989 expansion draft. Smith retired because of knee problems in his late 20s and later became Orlando’s general manager. 

Jarred Vanderbilt 

When healthy, Vanderbilt has shown he’s an athletic, versatile, hustling player. The 2024-25 season will be his first of a four-year, $48 million extension with the Lakers.

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“Did the Bucks give [Boston] the championship?” Embiid posted as Boston took an 80-75 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Bucks famously traded Jrue Holiday to the Trail Blazers in late September 2023, and the Celtics jumped on the opportunity to acquire the veteran guard from Portland in a separate deal. The C’s have benefited tremendously from that move, as Holiday has been excellent in these playoffs and racked up 38 combined points with zero turnovers in Games 1 and 2 of the Finals.

Embiid’s post is a bit ironic, as it suggests the Milwaukee Bucks were better competition for Boston than his Sixers, who lost to the New York Knicks in the first round as a No. 7 seed. But it’s hard not to think the Bucks are regretting trading Holiday to one of their top rivals in the Eastern Conference.

Holiday tallied nine points, four rebounds and five assists in Game 3 as Boston withstood a late Mavs run to earn a 106-99 win and take a 3-0 series lead.

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1. Hawks: Alex Sarr, PF, Perth Wildcats (Australia) 

This is likely to be an offseason of significant change for the Hawks, whose backcourt pairing of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray hasn’t led to consistent winning. The 7-foot Sarr has the chance to be what the Sixers hoped Nerlens Noel would become a decade ago, a switchable defender on the perimeter who can also become one of the NBA’s best deterrents at the rim.

Offensively, Sarr is far more skilled than Noel ever was, particularly with his ability to handle the ball on the perimeter and drive to the basket. He reminds me of a young Pascal Siakam on that end of the floor. There’s All-Star potential here if Sarr can make three-point shots. If not, he still has a high floor because of the defense.

2. Wizards: Donovan Clingan, C, UConn 

The Wizards need everything, so why not take a player who can be the foundation of their defense for the next decade? Clingan is simply enormous — 7-2 with a 7-7 wingspan and over 280 pounds — but he moves extremely well for his size, as we saw in the NCAA tournament. He’s probably not ever going to step outside and shoot threes like Brook Lopez, but Clingan can gobble up rebounds at both ends of the floor and finish everything around the rim.  

Philadelphia 76ers

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3. Rockets trade pick to Nets in deal for Mikal Bridges

Nets pick Zaccharie Risacher, SF, JL Bourg (France) 

Brooklyn gets this pick, their own 2026 first-round pick back from Houston, a 2027 pick swap, Cam Whitmore, Steven Adams and Jeff Green in exchange for Bridges, who joins an exciting Rockets core alongside Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green. While Bridges would have been an ideal fit with the Sixers, Houston has more assets to entice Brooklyn to get a deal done.

The Nets can now make Risacher (pronounced “Reese-uh-shay”) one of the pillars of their rebuild, along with the future picks they have coming from Phoenix in the Kevin Durant trade. Risacher is a 6-foot-8 wing who can already do a little bit of everything and made an impressive leap as a three-point shooter this season for Bourg. He’s only 19 years old and the Nets have time to let him develop.

4. Spurs: Reed Sheppard, G, Kentucky

The Spurs need shooting around Victor Wembanyama. Nobody in college basketball shot the ball better last season than Sheppard, who made 52.1 percent of his three-pointers on 4.4 attempts per game.

While he played both on and off the ball at Kentucky, Sheppard showed the ability to be a lead ball handler, averaging 4.5 assists in under 30 minutes per game. A Sheppard-Wembanyama pick-and-roll could be lethal. And while bigger NBA guards will certainly test his ability to defend 1-on-1, Sheppard showed off incredible instincts as a help defender, piling up 2.5 steals per game.

5. Pistons: Matas Buzelis, F, G League Ignite

If you watched the Rising Stars competition during All-Star weekend this year, you saw why Buzelis was at the top of many draft boards entering the season. Buzelis helped a team of G Leaguers knock off a team of the NBA’s best rookies and sophomores (including Wembanyama) in a semifinal matchup, hitting a confident turnaround jumper over Brandon Miller to win the game.

At 6-foot-9, Buzelis is an outstanding all-around offensive weapon with unusually advanced ball handling and playmaking ability for his size. Detroit needs a wing who can score and Buzelis has a chance to be that guy, especially if his three-point jumper improves from the 27.3 percent he shot during the G League regular season. 

6. Hornets: Stephon Castle, G, UConn

Charlotte has needed a culture change for a while now. Castle could be the perfect fit as a 6-6 defensive menace who is also an excellent playmaker and decision maker. He reminds me a bit of Jrue Holiday, particularly with his strong frame and his ability to post up and find ways to score out of the dunker spot. There are no empty calories in his game.

Castle projects more as a complementary scorer at the NBA level, which pairs nicely with LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. The knock on Castle right now is perimeter shooting. He made just 26.7 of his three-point attempts in his lone season at UConn, but he improved as the season went along, shooting 32.6 percent beyond the arc in Big East play. 

7. Trail Blazers: Dalton Knecht, SG/SF, Tennessee

Knecht is a fascinating story. He became a First Team All-American at Tennessee after two seasons in junior college and two more at Northern Colorado in the Big Sky Conference. He is a born scorer, able to make difficult, contested shots look routine. He’s one of those guys who can still make the shot when everyone on both teams knows he’s getting the ball.

Knecht shot 39.7 percent from three-point range on 6.5 attempts per game last season and scored over 30 points in 8 of his 36 games. The biggest issue for Knecht will come on the defensive end of the floor. If he’s at least passable on that end, his offensive abilities should make him an NBA starter.

8. Spurs: Nikola Topic, PG, Red Star Belgrade (Serbia)

We’re going to see if Topic’s stock is affected by the news that he suffered a partially torn ACL in his left knee back in April. With two picks in the top 10 (they selected Reed Sheppard at No. 4 in this mock), the Spurs would have the luxury to be patient with Topic’s recovery.

At 6-foot-6, Topic is a big point guard who excels at manipulating the defense with his dribble. He has the ball on a string and is able to slither past defenders to score in the paint or find a teammate for an open look. He was the MVP of the U-18 European Championship last year when he led Serbia to the title. 

9. Grizzlies: Tidjane Salaun, F, Cholet Basket (France)

The Grizzlies could use a big wing to pair with their core of Ja Morant, Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. Tidjane Salaun (pronounced “Tee-John Salon”) makes a ton of sense for Memphis in that regard, a 6-foot-9 forward who had a breakout season for Cholet at just 18 years old.

He’s sort of a deluxe “3-and-D” guy whose length and lateral mobility should allow him to eventually defend the best wings on opposing teams. He shot 33.1 from three-point range this season for Cholet on decent volume (4.3 attempts per game), a percentage that will need to improve to earn rotation minutes. Salaun also has some playmaking ability and brings more to an offense than simply standing in the corner and shooting threes.

10. Jazz: Ron Holland, F, G League Ignite

Utah appears to be in no hurry in its rebuild, so Holland makes sense as a developmental project with big-time upside if he hits. He’s a strong, physical defender who is also a sensational vertical athlete with a quick first step. He’s one of those guys who hopes you try to jump with him so he can dunk on you. He’s truly breathtaking in transition and reminds me of a young Jaylen Brown in terms of size and athleticism. 

Guess who drafted Jaylen Brown in Boston? Danny Ainge, who just happens to now be running the show for the Jazz. Utah feels like a great spot for Holland to figure out how to operate in a half-court offense, work on his shot and allow his athleticism to do the rest. 

11. Bulls: Devin Carter, G, Providence

Guard may not seem like a major position of need for Chicago with Coby White, Alex Caruso and Ayo Dosunmu already on the roster, but Caruso is entering the final season of his contract and the 6-foot-2 Carter fits perfectly as his eventual replacement.

Already regarded as an elite defender entering last season, Carter’s offense took a quantum leap, resulting in a stellar two-way campaign that ended with him winning Big East Player of the Year. Carter led the conference with 19.7 points per game, thanks in large part to a massive uptick in three-point shooting. He improved from 29.9 percent as a sophomore to almost 38 percent as a junior. Carter averaged 1.8 steals per game in each of the last two seasons and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him consistently near the top of the NBA leaderboard in that department for years to come.   

12. Thunder: Zach Edey, C, Purdue

Oklahoma City likes to play five-out with Chet Holmgren at center, but Holmgren’s limitations as a rebounder were exposed in OKC’s second-round playoff loss to Dallas. You know what can help with defensive rebounding? A 7-foot-4 behemoth who averaged over 12 rebounds per game in each of the last two seasons.

Edey also has great touch around the basket and can make a major impact in limited minutes early on while Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault figures out the best way to utilize him on both ends of the floor. It’s easy to envision lineups in which Holmgren slides to the four and operates on the perimeter while Edey patrols the paint. 

13. Kings: Rob Dillingham, G, Kentucky

Dillingham gets compared to Lou Williams a ton and it makes sense. He’s small at 6-foot-1, 164 pounds, but he is one of the most electric scorers in the draft, averaging 15.2 points in only 23.3 minutes per game his freshman season at Kentucky. He’s able to blow past defenders or step back and create space for threes, which he shot at a 44.4 percent clip.

If the Kings are unable to retain free agent Malik Monk, Dillingham should be able to step in and score right away. But at his size, opposing teams are going to hunt Dillingham relentlessly on the other side of the floor and see if he can hold up.

14. Trail Blazers: Cody Williams, F, Colorado

The younger brother of OKC’s Jalen Williams, Cody is significantly younger and less developed than his brother was entering the NBA. Cody played just one season at Colorado, emerging early in mock drafts because of his athleticism and ability to do a little bit of everything. He looks the part of a potentially great player, a smooth, fluid athlete at 6-foot-7 who can defend and handle the ball.

But is he a jack of all trades and master of none? He shot 41.5 percent from the three-point line but made fewer than one per game. He had a disturbing tendency to float for long stretches of games without making much of an impact, similar to one of the red flags about Andrew Wiggins in his lone college season. But at 14th overall, this is a good spot to take a shot on Williams’ potential.

15. Heat: Ja’Kobe Walter, SG, Baylor

Miami’s lack of perimeter shooting was exposed in its first-round playoff loss to Boston. Walter could help solve that problem. The 6-foot-4 guard is an excellent movement shooter. You’ll see him sprint around screens, quickly set his feet, and the shot is away before the contesting defender can reach him.

What makes Walter especially intriguing is his ability to drive a close-out. He was one of only 14 players in Division I — and the only freshman — to make at least 75 threes and 145 free throws. He made the third-most free throws in the Big 12 because he was able to attack those close-outs and draw contact at the rim.

16. Sixers: Jared McCain, G, Duke

I won’t be surprised if McCain goes several spots higher than No. 16, but in this scenario he falls to the Sixers much like Tyrese Maxey did four years ago. The 6-foot-2 McCain is a pure scorer and became the Blue Devils’ first freshman since Zion Williamson to have multiple 30-point games in the NCAA tournament.

He was more efficient than your typical freshman, shooting 46.2 percent from the field, 41.4 percent from three-point range and 88.5 percent from the free throw line on his way to 14.3 points per game. He also has an advanced mid-range game that could make him a three-level scorer. Maxey and McCain would be a small backcourt, but McCain is basically the same size as De’Anthony Melton and we’ve seen Maxey and Melton have plenty of success sharing the floor. 

17. Lakers: Tristan da Silva, F, Colorado

The Lakers could use some help on the wing and da Silva would fit in nicely as a 6-foot-8 player who can dribble, pass and shoot at a high level. The German native is already 23 years old and should be able to compete for rotation minutes right away. He shot 48.4 percent on unguarded catch-and-shoot jumpers last season at Colorado and those are readily available playing with LeBron James. da Silva can provide secondary scoring and bring some playmaking savvy to a bench unit that needs it.

18. Magic: Tyler Kolek, PG, Marquette

Orlando has built a fun young team around Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner but badly needs more playmaking and shooting at the guard spots. The 6-foot-1 Kolek was the best floor general in college basketball at Marquette last season, leading the nation with 7.7 assists per game. He’s also a crafty finisher who shot 55.2 on two-point shots.

There’s a lot of T.J. McConnell in there, but Kolek is a significantly better 3-point shooter, making at least 38 percent in both of the last two seasons. Kolek will undoubtedly get hunted defensively, but the presence of Jalen Suggs in Orlando’s backcourt should allow the Magic to hide Kolek a bit on that end of the floor.  

19. Raptors: Yves Missi, C, Baylor

Toronto could use an athletic rim protector and the 6-foot-11 Missi fits that bill. Offensively, he’s a bouncy rim-runner in the mold of a young Clint Capela. Missi can fit in behind Jakob Poeltl on Toronto’s second unit and bring energy and rebounding to a team that needs both. He’s not much of a shooter, so hopefully Immanuel Quickley or Scottie Barnes will prove adept at finding Missi with lob passes to make the best use of his offensive abilities.

20. Cavaliers: Kyshawn George, SG/SF, Miami

As long as Evan Mobley remains a non-shooter, the Cavaliers will need to keep surrounding him with perimeter snipers. The 6-foot-7 George has the chance to play that role in the NBA after shooting 40.8 percent from three-point range as a freshman on 4.2 attempts per game for the Hurricanes.

There are some major red flags here, though. George barely tried to attack close-outs, shooting only 27 free throws in 31 games, while 130 of his 190 field goal attempts were threes. It’s a Sam Hauser-type profile, but those kinds of players can have a role in NBA rotations if they shoot over 40 percent from three and hold up defensively, which George did at Miami. 

21. Pelicans: Kel’el Ware, C, Indiana

Ware is a theoretical stretch-five, a 7-footer who shot 42.5 percent from three-point range last season, though the volume was low at only 1.3 attempts per game. He’s a big-time vertical athlete and an outstanding lob threat — like Dereck Lively II in Dallas. Even if the lob is somewhat off target, Ware has the dexterity and explosiveness to finish it.

He brings some post-up ability to the table as well, showing off a smooth turnaround fadeaway jumper. He’s also a decent passer, and it’s easy to envision him posting up and finding a cutting Zion Williamson. Defensively, he’s an adept shot blocker, but he’s lean. He’ll have to prove he can handle the physicality of opposing NBA centers to earn major minutes. 

22. Suns: Isaiah Collier, PG, USC

Collier was one of the country’s top-ranked recruits out of high school but struggled with poor efficiency and turnover issues in a rough season overall for USC. He’s built like an NFL safety at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds and overwhelmed opponents at the high school level with his strength. That didn’t work nearly as well in college and the NBA is an entirely different beast altogether.

The Suns may provide one of the best possible fits because of the spacing provided by Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and Grayson Allen. This is a good bet on a big-time talent who may have just been in a poor situation in college, especially with the 22nd pick. 

23. Bucks: Kevin McCullar, SG/SF, Kansas

The first season of the Giannis Antetokounmpo-Damian Lillard pairing was a decidedly mixed bag. The Bucks were the third seed in the East, but their defense wasn’t close to championship-caliber, falling from fourth overall in the 2022-23 season to 19th. Milwaukee is in desperate need of more two-way players and doesn’t have much cap space to pay them.

The 6-foot-5 McCullar could help in that regard. He’s a rugged defender and connective playmaker who could provide secondary scoring and crash the glass. He could become Milwaukee’s version of Josh Hart, a valuable glue guy who doesn’t need plays called for him but will find ways to chip in on both ends. 

24. Knicks: DaRon Holmes, PF/C, Dayton

I doubt the Knicks will make both of these picks, but trades in the 20s are extremely difficult to predict. So, we’ll go with Holmes here since the Knicks may lose Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency. Holmes has the skill set to become an excellent pick-and-roll partner with Jalen Brunson. He’s able to step out and make perimeter shots or roll to the rim and score.

Holmes is more fluid than Paul Reed but is similarly undersized to be a backup center at 6-foot-9. If he were two or three inches taller, he would probably be a lottery pick, but Holmes’ height makes him a bit of a tweener. 

25. Knicks: Carlton “Bub” Carrington, G, Pittsburgh

With their second first-round pick, the Knicks make a pure talent play with Carrington, who flashed some serious upside as a lead guard in his freshman season at Pitt. If you looked at his shooting percentages, you’d struggle to see why Carrington is a first-round prospect. He shot just 41.2 percent from the field and 32.2 percent from three-point range.

But he’s one of those guys whose upside is obvious when you watch him play. He’s a legit 6-foot-4 and is a silky-smooth ball handler who can get his own shot just about anytime he wants. Carrington excels at manipulating pick-and-rolls, finding the exact moment when the dropping big man is a little too far away and then pulling up to shoot. He’s also an excellent playmaker who will often drive with the intent to pass and puts it right on the money.

26. Wizards: Harrison Ingram, SF, North Carolina

Ingram plays like a bull in a china shop, averaging 8.8 rebounds per game last season at North Carolina despite measuring just over 6-foot-5 at the NBA draft combine. Ingram was often tasked with defending opponents’ best wings and projects as a switchable defender. He also shot the three-ball well last season for the Tar Heels, making 38.5 percent of his 4.6 attempts per game. The Wizards need to establish a more rugged identity and Ingram can be a piece of that puzzle.

27. Timberwolves: Johnny Furphy, SF, Kansas

Minnesota couldn’t make enough perimeter shots to beat Dallas in the Western Conference Finals. The 6-foot-8 Furphy would give the Timberwolves another three-point threat to keep defenses honest.

A native of Melbourne, Australia, Furphy exploded onto the scene with a 23-point, 11-rebound double-double against Cincinnati in January. He made 36.5 percent of his threes in Big 12 play and tall wings who can shoot are always in demand.

28. Nuggets: KJ Simpson, PG, Colorado

Denver has the NBA’s preeminent playmaker in Nikola Jokic, but they could use a lead guard off the bench to fill the role Monte Morris held for so many years in the Mile High City. They only need to look 30 miles away to Boulder to find a pure point guard in Simpson.

Though he’s only 6 feet tall, he was incredibly productive in college, averaging 19.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists as a junior while shooting 43.4 percent from three-point range. His size will likely limit him to backup duties, but that’s all Denver would need from Simpson early in his career. 

29. Jazz: Bobi Klintman, F, Cairns (Australia)

The 6-foot-9 Klintman is from Sweden and played one season at Wake Forest before deciding to play professionally in Australia’s NBL last season. Physically, it’s striking how much he’s built like a younger Tobias Harris, with an ability to simply score over smaller defenders on drives. He’s good at driving close-outs but is a bit of an awkward finisher once he gets near the rim, often switching hands for no real reason. He shot 35.7 percent on threes in the NBL and should eventually prove to be a reliable catch-and-shoot threat. Fellow Scandinavian Lauri Markkanen is a good player for Klintman to watch and learn from in Utah as he begins his NBA career.

30. Celtics: Tyler Smith, PF, G League Ignite

The Celtics value shooting and spacing as much as any team in the NBA, and the 6-foot-9 Smith has the potential to bring that to Boston down the road. The 19-year-old shot 36.4 percent from three-point range in the G League last season and has nearly flawless form on his lefty jumper. Al Horford only has one more season left on his contract and the Celtics can groom Smith to become their next floor-spacing big man once he likely gets more seasoning in the G League. 

What do the latest mock drafts say about who the Sixers might take with the 16th pick? Here’s our second 2024 roundup: 

Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report 

Isaiah Collier, USC 

Wasserman: “Listed as 6’5″ by USC, Isaiah Collier measured 6’2.5″ (socks) with a near 6’5″ wingspan at the NBA combine. He also didn’t shoot that well during drills, and teams will be looking closely into his almost set jump shot during workouts.

“Still, the draw to Collier is his shiftiness for creativity, physicality attacking and finishing and live-dribble passing skill. Teams that think his jump shot and decision-making should improve will see more upside than those worried about his low-volume three-point numbers and turnovers.

“But even teams that have those concerns may be interested in Collier’s ability to break down defenses, make plays off the bounce and put pressure on the rim.”

Sam Vecenie, The Athletic 

Isaiah Collier, USC 

Vecenie: “Many around the league believe the 76ers could move their first-round pick to get immediate help. … If the 76ers keep the pick, Collier offers some upside. He started the season on fire and looked like a candidate to be the No. 1 pick, but he tailed off as USC’s season fell apart due to struggling with turnovers and defense. He also hurt his hand and missed time. Once he returned, he took the Pac-12 by storm, averaging 18.7 points and 4.3 assists over his final seven games while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from 3. … Collier is an impressive downhill threat who lives in the paint and has the wherewithal to hit kickout passes and dump-offs. 

“However, Collier did not test or measure well at the combine, and evaluators wonder how well his finishing and power-based game will translate to the NBA given that factor.” 

The 19-year-old Collier’s blend of strength and craftiness is intriguing. His free throw shooting was decidedly subpar for a lead guard at 67.3 percent, which is perhaps one reason you now see more and more mock drafts projecting him to slide past the lottery. 

Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo, ESPN

Jared McCain, Duke 

Woo: “McCain has been receiving interest as high as the late lottery, with teams drawn to his shooting ability, intangibles and work ethic. … Depending on who falls, Philadelphia is in position to draft the best available prospect at No. 16 but should be angling to grab a cost-controlled role player to contribute during this window as Joel Embiid enters his 30s and rising star Tyrese Maxey is ticketed for a big contract. The level of spacing and versatility McCain provides on offense should be attractive to the Sixers. Expect this pick to surface in trade conversations, as has been team president Daryl Morey’s M.O. for quite some time.” 

Krysten Peek, Yahoo Sports

Jared McCain, Duke 

Peek: “McCain was one of the best shooters at the combine and will undoubtedly interview well with teams. Because of his combination of high IQ and consistent shooting, McCain will be a hard guard to pass in the mid-first round.”

McCain went 41.4 percent from three-point range and 88.5 percent at the foul line in his freshman season. Whether or not he blossoms into a big-time scoring combo guard in the NBA, his shot is exceedingly pure. 

Kevin O’Connor, The Ringer

Bub Carrington, Pittsburgh 

O’Connor: “Carrington’s pull-up shooting ability and pick-and-roll playmaking skill could make him an immediate contributor for the Sixers.” 

Carrington didn’t finish well or get to the rim much in his one year at Pitt, but he’s a naturally shifty, low-turnover shot creator who will still be 18 years old on draft night. 

Gary Parrish, CBS Sports

Tristan da Silva, Colorado 

Parrish: “For a Sixers franchise in win-now mode, adding a 23 year-old like da Silva who can guard his position and reliably make 3-pointers should be preferable to selecting a teenager who needs time to develop. The 6-8 forward will be a plug-and-play addition for basically anybody on Day 1.”

As a senior, da Silva averaged 16.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals. He’s improved his outside shooting and hit 39.5 percent of his long-range jumpers last season on 4.8 attempts per game. 

As president of basketball operations Daryl Morey acknowledged last month, everything from mammoth home runs to much less satisfying outcomes sounds plausible.

“I think that there’s a chance that all the balls go up and they all land,” Morey said at his end-of-season press conference. “And everyone will be mad, and that’s fine. But what we definitely can’t do in that situation is actually hurt ourselves. … The main mistake that could be made that we won’t make is if some of the better options don’t go our way — trade into our cap space, free agents, turn our draft picks into things … if all those things don’t yield what we want, we are definitely not going to just sign some player for a lot of money who’s just an OK player. 

“That will be where we can’t continue to build a contender around Joel (Embiid) and Tyrese (Maxey). So in those scenarios, we’ll be doing shorter deals and then using our draft picks to set ourselves up for trades or set ourselves up for the next opportunity when it comes. We want to open all the doors to make ourselves a contender, but we can’t close all the future doors, unless we think the move we are doing can (make the team) the best in the East at least.”

The 64-win Celtics were rather comfortably the Eastern Conference’s top team this year. They kicked off the 2024 NBA Finals on Thursday night with a Game 1 victory over the Mavs.

The Sixers, meanwhile, have been waiting for the summer action to formally begin. Once the Finals finish, teams will be allowed to negotiate with their own free agents this offseason under the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement. We’ll soon see exactly how the Sixers approach that window with role players like Nicolas Batum, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Kyle Lowry who fit nicely next to their All-Star duo.

“We have interest in pretty much all our free agents,” Morey said. “It’s just we’re definitely not going to bring them all back; it’s just the reality of the league.” 

Next on the calendar is this year’s two-day NBA draft June 26 and 27. The Sixers hold picks No. 16 and 41, but Morey’s never a sure thing to select prospects and always willing to deal. He’s made three significant draft-night trades since joining the Sixers, adding Danny Green, Seth Curry and De’Anthony Melton.  

The thorough lack of players under contract and Morey’s open-to-everything, star-hunting style means that few hypotheticals are outlandish. 

If the Bulls are finally a bit more open to selling, could the Sixers acquire an All-Defensive guard in Alex Caruso? Could Brandon Ingram or another high-scoring No. 3 sort of option wind up in Philadelphia? What will come of the Sixers’ widely reported interest in Paul George, who’s yet to get the extension offer he’d like from the Clippers? Can the Sixers nail a non-star signing or two?

In a month, the roster won’t just be Embiid, Maxey and question marks. 

The Sixers must map out good potential answers and be ready for it all. They need to meaningfully improve after another early-round playoff exit, whatever that looks like. 

“I think the storylines around how do you win in this league … I’ve been around quite a bit,” Morey said. “I know there was a time when jump shooting teams couldn’t win. Recently, you couldn’t have bigs and win. Now, the story is you have to have bigs to win. 

“The reality is you need very good players, you need better players than your opponents, and there isn’t really a formula.” 

• Position: Wing 
• Height: 6-7.5 (without shoes) 
• Weight: 189 pounds 
• College: Kansas 

Strengths

Furphy’s got good size and solid skills on the wing. 

Even though a 12-for-50 stretch over Kansas’ final dozen games dropped Furphy’s three-point percentage for the year to 35.2, his catch-and-shoot game is promising. Furphy shoots a well-balanced, low-effort jumper and is comfortable sliding into open spaces around high-usage players like Jayhawks big man Hunter Dickinson. 

Furphy’s glad to accept a supporting cast sort of role, understand his limitations, and do the basics well. He committed just 28 turnovers over his 33 college games and only attempted double-digit field goals four times. 

Furphy tended to be a bit more adventurous in transition. He’s capable of throwing down some big dunks and finishing through traffic on the fast break. 

Kansas head coach Bill Self was a fan of Furphy’s productive hustle plays. The 19-year-old Australian grabbed 8.2 rebounds per 40 minutes. 

“He’s got an element of toughness,” Self told The Athletic’s CJ Moore in March. “He’s not strong yet, but he certainly will put his nose in there. If there’s a ball halfway between you and me, there’s nothing soft about the way he goes after it.”

Weaknesses

The idea of Furphy one day becoming a high-level NBA defender able to contain all types of guards, wings and forwards would a lot be easier to picture if he was stronger and longer. Furphy’s 6-8 wingspan won’t change, but he’ll aim to gain muscle early in his professional career. 

Furphy had a late growth spurt. Perhaps he’s set to develop far more than the role player traits he showcased in college, but that sort of path is mostly theoretical for now.

Furphy didn’t enter Kansas’ starting lineup until mid-January and averaged 9.0 points and 4.9 rebounds overall. He went 4 for 27 on mid-range tries last season, according to NBA.com.

If the essence of Furphy’s game in the NBA is ultimately outside jumpers, adequate defense, and occasional open-floor highlights, will his shooting be exceptional? Will Furphy work free off the ball, hit a variety of catch-and-shoot looks, and shrug off slumps? NBA teams will have to make educated guesses on those kinds of questions. 

Fit

Furphy shouldn’t initially struggle meshing with stars such as Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. His time at Kansas indicates he’d know how to handle a simple, minimal role on a playoff team. 

It remains to be seen whether Furphy could soon do that job better than a veteran and whether he’ll eventually expand and refine his game in a way that merits heavier minutes. 

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Gordon was 33.

The Nuggets posted a statement on social media with the two brothers in the background.

“Drew was far too young to leave this world, but his legacy will forever live on through his three beautiful children and all of his loved ones,” the statement read.

Gordon, a San Jose, Calif. native, had a nine-game tenure with the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2014-15 campaign.

A 6-foot-9 big man, Gordon had college ties with UCLA and New Mexico.

Along with time in the G League, he also played overseas. Some stops included Serbia, France, Ukraine, Russia and Turkey, among others.

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A scouting report on NBA draft prospect Jared McCain:  

• Position: Guard  
• Height: 6-2 (without shoes) 
• Weight: 203 pounds 
• College: Duke 

McCain is the latest in a long line of five-star recruits to enter the NBA draft after playing one season at Duke. His role in Duke’s offense increased as the season progressed and he became the Blue Devils’ first freshman since Zion Williamson to have multiple 30-point games in the NCAA tournament. He was more efficient than your typical freshman, shooting 46.2 percent from the field, 41.4 percent from three-point range and 88.5 percent from the free throw line on his way to 14.3 points per game.  

Strengths

McCain is a natural scorer and does it in a variety of ways. He attempted nearly six three-pointers per game and is comfortable shooting off the catch, pulling up off the dribble and dribbling into step-backs. 

Duke had a senior point guard in Jeremy Roach so McCain was used primarily in an off-ball role early in the season. But later in the season, especially in the NCAA tournament, McCain had more opportunities with the ball in pick-and-roll situations and scored efficiently both driving and taking jump shots when defenders went under screens. He showed off a nice hesitation dribble that can freeze defenders sprinting out to the arc to contest shots.

McCain’s mid-range game is impressive and gives him the potential to become a three-level scorer in the NBA. When he beats an initial closeout, he’s excellent at finding space to make elbow jumpers. Without getting too crazy with an All-Star comparison, he’s a little bit reminiscent of Devin Booker in that facet of his game.

McCain is a surprisingly good rebounder for a 6-foot-2 guard; he averaged 5.0 rebounds on the season and grabbed double-digit rebounds six times in 36 games. He also has quick hands as a help defender and posted 1.1 steals per game.

Weaknesses

McCain was used primarily as a shooting guard at Duke, but at 6-foot-2 he profiles more as a point guard in the NBA. He showed flashes of playmaking talent in his lone college season but averaged just 1.9 assists. Teams are going to have to do some projecting to determine if McCain can flourish as a playmaker at the NBA level. 

He’s not a great vertical athlete, which could affect his ability to score over length at the basket and in his mid-range game. It all worked in college, but will it work against bigger, faster, stronger NBA athletes?

Defensively, McCain has a strong build at over 200 pounds, but he’ll have to prove he can stay in front of the lightning-quick guards he’ll see in the NBA because he doesn’t have the height to defend bigger wings.

Fit

I can’t shake the notion that McCain could be a 20-PPG NBA scorer hiding in plain sight, both because his college usage was low for a player with his talent and the questions about whether he’s a point guard or a shooting guard. I think he’s a scorer, period.

He knows how to get himself open and could become a lethal kick-out option for Joel Embiid when the big fella draws double teams. 

McCain could also play on ball or off ball the way Tyrese Maxey does. Maxey and McCain would be a small backcourt, but McCain is basically the same size as De’Anthony Melton and we’ve seen Maxey and Melton have plenty of success sharing the floor. While McCain is unlikely to generate deflections at the same rate as Melton, McCain has the potential to be a significantly more impactful offensive weapon.

• Position: Center  
• Height: 7-3.75 (without shoes) 
• Weight: 299 pounds 
• College: Purdue 

Strengths

Edey is extremely tall and extremely accomplished. Edey, Ralph Sampson and the late Bill Walton are the only players to win the Naismith Men’s College Player of the Year award multiple times.

The final game of Edey’s college career was a 37-point, 10-rebound performance in Purdue’s national championship game loss to UConn. He was incredibly dominant throughout the Boilermakers’ tournament run, posting humongous stats while dealing with immense attention, avoiding foul trouble, and being highly efficient. Over the six-game tournament, Edey averaged 29.5 points, 14.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.8 blocks. 

While he’s quite comfortable with the basics, Edey doesn’t score solely because he’s very big. He has strong legs and plays with balance and power in the post. The 22-year-old has good touch and range on his hook shot, can shoot it with both hands, and has reliable counter moves. He fights to earn deep position, but Edey is still a serious scoring threat when he catches the ball a few feet from the paint.

Blocked shots don’t capture all of Edey’s impact as a rim protector. At Purdue, he regularly deterred drivers and generally appeared to pick the right spots to be aggressive. He doesn’t seem like a young center who will bite on pump fakes and pile up fouls because he’s bewildered by NBA-level craftiness. 

Edey took up basketball late, focusing on baseball and hockey until he was a sophomore in high school. He improved continually over his four years at Purdue and further development wouldn’t be surprising at all. 

Sixers head coach Nick Nurse was impressed when he worked with Edey on the Canadian national team. 

“I think he’s got a good IQ,” Nurse told reporters in 2022. “And to complement that … he’s got a great work ethic. He is a hard worker. He has some rigid things he believes in that he does — like he’s not leaving the gym until he does his X amount of jump hooks with both hands. Literally, nothing’s taking him out of the gym until he does some things. He starts and ends each practice and each workout in a certain way and he’s just kind of religious to that.” 

Weaknesses

No one would call Edey a “modern” NBA center.

Perhaps he’ll be able to hit open long-range jumpers, but that wasn’t part of Edey’s game in college (besides a single banked-in three). He shot 71.1 percent from the foul line last season, which is fine but doesn’t suggest he’s likely to break out soon as a three-point shooter. 

Edey is far more adept as a scorer than as a passer. If he ultimately draws help defenders in the NBA, Edey will need to anticipate doubles and be less deliberate in his decision-making.

The concerns for Edey defensively boil down to the question of whether he can hold up outside of the paint. Will his size and instincts be enough to play solid drop pick-and-roll coverage, even against quality pull-up shooters and speedy drivers? Will shooting big men pull him out to the perimeter, do long-distance damage, and negate his abilities as a rim protector? 

At the moment, Edey doesn’t look like a player NBA coaches will trust in all defensive situations. His team may very well need to be especially cognizant of matchups and schemes, leaning on drop coverage — and perhaps some zone — to play to his strengths and mitigate his lack of nimbleness. 

Fit

The extensive list of centers to play behind Joel Embiid does already include a 7-foot-4 player in Boban Marjanovic. Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey served as Rockets general manager for the final few seasons of 7-foot-6 Yao Ming’s Hall of Fame career. Those experiences don’t hurt in considering whether Edey would be worth selecting for the Sixers at No. 16.

However, Nurse’s history with Edey himself is obviously most relevant. 

“I love him, first of all,” Nurse told Fox Sports’ Colin Cowherd in April. “He was 18 years old, we were in our first training camp, and we needed some of our young kids there. We had about four or five of them. And our guys didn’t know what to do with him. We couldn’t stop him. … I said, ‘Listen, this guy’s got to be part of our program.’ 

“He’s certainly a problem. And you know what else? He’s super competitive. He’s really a super hard worker. He’s out there every day working, he’s out there every day playing. There’s a lot to like about this guy for sure.” 

• Position: Point guard    
• Height: 6-2.5 (without shoes) 
• Weight: 205 pounds 
• College: USC 

Strengths

Collier’s strength is exceptional for a 19-year-old point guard and he uses that standout tool to amplify many of his other talents. 

Collier can brush off contact, score through traffic in the paint, and find fruitful angles in the pick-and-roll even when he doesn’t gain an initial edge.

Collier averaged an impressive 5.8 free throw attempts. Immediately after returning from a midseason right hand injury, he racked up 31 foul shots over his next two outings. 

In his one college season, Collier posted 16.3 points, 4.3 assists and 2.9 rebounds per contest. His assist numbers would’ve been loftier on a better team than the 15-18 Trojans. Collier showed he can read the low man in the pick-and-roll, spot open cutters, and throw a variety of high-level passes. 

Weaknesses

Like many young ball handlers, Collier is refining his decision-making and sense of which risks are worth taking. He committed at least four turnovers in each of his first six college games. To his credit, Collier’s assist-to-turnover stats significantly improved after he came back from his injury; he averaged 4.5 assists and 2.8 turnovers over USC’s final 11 games. 

Collier’s shooting mechanics do not appear especially consistent. He shot 67.3 percent from the foul line and 33.8 percent from three-point range (on 3.0 attempts per game). He’ll need to earn defenses’ respect as a shooter in the NBA and prove he’s not a player you can afford to give space or defend with a deep drop in pick-and-roll coverage. 

Though he nabbed 2.0 steals per 40 minutes and registered some highlights on defense, Collier was widely criticized for his defensive performances. And when he falls behind drivers or gets caught on screens, he doesn’t have great length (6-4.75 wingspan) to help him recover. 

Fit

Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey picked a former five-star recruit and freshman guard who surprisingly slid in the 2020 draft.

In those ways, Collier would be a similar sort of selection to Tyrese Maxey. Collier likely wouldn’t be expected to jump in and fill a crucial role on a contender right away. Still, if a player with Collier’s considerable talent slips to No. 16, perhaps the Sixers will snag him. 

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Maxey missed out on the three 2023-24 All-NBA teams, which were named Wednesday night.

He received 16 total points (one second-team vote and 13 third-team votes). That was tied for second-highest among the players not selected but still far off from making the cut. With 70 total points, Devin Booker was the last player on the positionless teams.

The 2023-24 First Team is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum.

Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard and Anthony Davis made the Second Team. The final five All-NBA players chosen were LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Domantas Sabonis, Tyrese Halliburton and Booker. 

By making an All-NBA team, Maxey would’ve qualified for “Designated Player” status and become eligible to sign a contract for as much as 30 percent of the salary cap this offseason (as opposed to 25 percent). 

Now, a five-year maximum extension for him would total approximately $205 million.

In his first season with Sixers head coach Nick Nurse, Maxey reached his first All-Star Game and posted 25.9 points, 6.2 assists and 3.7 rebounds per contest. He was also named the NBA’s Most Improved Player and earned the league’s Sportsmanship Award.

Nurse has pushed Maxey to be a stronger defender and more aggressive star lead guard, including in clutch situations.

“I think there’s still a ton of room for growth for him at the end of games,” Nurse told NBC Sports Philadelphia in late April. “And I think for sure he’ll be in (late-game) situations. When you’re coaching and you’re at the end of the game, who’s going to take the shot? It’s always great to have A and B — or 1 and 1A.

“And I always think that most of our plays are going to look like that, where it could go to (Joel Embiid) or it could go to Ty. … I think that’s good, because usually it’s hard to take both things away. You’ve got to kind of take your pick, and we’ve just got to be able to make the read on which one looks better.”

At his end-of-season press conference, Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey repeatedly described Maxey as one of the team’s core pieces alongside superstar center Embiid. 

Embiid was not eligible for All-NBA voting the year after his 2022-23 MVP season because he didn’t hit the 65-game minimum requirement. He averaged 34.7 points, 11.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists over his 39 games played. 

“We all had very high hopes — and I think you’d have put pretty good odds on it — that Tyrese could be the second-best player on a championship team,” Morey said. “I think we absolutely believe that now. That belief went from high to I think we’re certain at this point that he can do that.

“Still a long way to go, but the fact that that’s the case, that means the job becomes (about) some of these questions like, ‘How do you find the rest of the roster to fit around that?’ And … how do you get Joel at his (best) going into the playoffs?”

Following the Sixers’ first-round series loss to the Knicks, Embiid said Maxey “has a chance to do something special next year again.”

“I hope he becomes All-NBA this year, but I think he can be in stuff like MVP conversations,” Embiid said. “I think he can take that next step.”

• Position: Shooting Guard
• Height: 6-4.25 (without shoes)
• Weight: 198 pounds 
• College: Baylor 

Ja’Kobe Walter was the Big 12 Freshman of the Year for a Baylor team that was a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament and was upset in the second round by Clemson. He’s a pure two-guard and volume three-point shooter, but his poor shooting percentages at Baylor could make him available for the Sixers with the 16th pick. He averaged 14.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.3 turnovers and 1.1 steals in 32.3 minutes per game last season.

Strengths

Walter is an excellent movement shooter. You’ll see him sprint around screens, quickly set his feet, and the shot is away before the contesting defender can reach him. The form on his shot appears effortless. 

What makes Walter especially intriguing is his ability to drive a close-out. He was one of only 14 players in Division I —and the only freshman — to make at least 75 threes and 145 free throws. He made the third-most free throws in the Big 12 because he was able to attack those close-outs and draw contact at the rim. He shot 79.2 percent from the free throw line.

Walter has big-time scoring upside when you combine his potential to become a high-volume three-point shooter and his ability to get to the free throw line at a high rate.  

Weaknesses

There are a lot of reasons why Walter may slip in the draft despite his obvious scoring upside. 

He shot 34.2 percent from the three-point line but just 37.6 percent from the field overall. He shot 42.3 percent on two-point field goals, which points to an inability to finish in the paint and an inefficient mid-range game. He’s not a high-wire athlete and is going to have to learn how to score over NBA length once he drives past his defender.

Walter didn’t show much as a playmaker at Baylor, averaging just 1.8 assists per 40 minutes. NBA teams will have to decide if Walter’s low assist rate was a function of how he was used or if he has real limitations as a playmaker.

He’s an excellent catch-and-shoot guy from three-point range, but can Walter create his own shot? Eighty-nine percent of his three-point makes were assisted.

Defensively, Walter isn’t particularly great at staying in front of opposing ball handlers. He doesn’t look like the type of defender you’d want guarding the other team’s best player. You’re more likely to be trying to hide him on a lesser perimeter player.

Fit

I won’t be surprised if Walter is one of the best three-point specialists in the NBA in a few years. He is a stellar off-ball player and a great fit next to stars who demand double teams. The issue is that he better shoot it incredibly well because he doesn’t have many other elite skills. 

He reminds me of two-guards who make their living primarily as three-point shooters — guys like Tim Hardaway Jr., Malik Beasley and Gary Trent Jr. I’ve seen him compared to Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, but he has a long way to go defensively to reach that ceiling.

I think the Sixers could use a bigger wing more than Walter, but his ability as a movement shooter and floor spacer undeniably makes some theoretical sense next to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. 

The Sixers’ 23-year-old guard received the Joe Dumars Trophy as the NBA’s Sportsmanship Award winner, which “honors a player who best represents the ideals of sportsmanship on the court.”

Before Maxey, Eric Snow (in 1999-2000) had been the only Sixer to win the award since it began in the 1995-96 season. Sixers general manager Elton Brand earned it back in 2005-06 as a member of the Clippers. 

To select the Sportsmanship Award, all 30 teams nominate one player. A panel of league executives then select a nominee from each of the NBA’s six divisions, and players vote on the winner. Miami’s Kevin Love finished second, Cleveland’s Jarrett Allen third. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Harrison Barnes and Tre Jones were the other finalists. 

Maxey’s parents, Denyse and Tyrone, broke the news to him.

Maxey has often highlighted his parents’ influence, including when he cited his father’s attitude of “Proper preparation prevents poor performance” after being named Most Improved Player. The first-time All-Star has said his mother usually helps him move past tough losses and difficult moments.

“It means a lot,” Maxey said after accepting the award from his father. “Sportsmanship means a lot to me. I know I go out there and play extremely hard, but I still respect all my teammates and all of my competitors. … Y’all taught me a lot, too. Y’all taught me how to play the game that I love with a lot of passion. But at the end of the day, win, lose or draw, you’ve got to respect your competitors and the guys that you’re playing against.”

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• Position: Guard   
• Height: 6-2.25 (without shoes) 
• Weight: 193 pounds 
• College: Providence 

Strengths

Carter is the son of current Grizzlies assistant coach and former NBA point guard Anthony Carter. Unlike his father, Carter is set to be drafted. He may end up being a lottery pick following his outstanding results on the NBA draft combine’s athletic testing. Carter set a combine record on the three-quarter court sprint, ranked third among 2024 prospects in the lane agility drill, and tied for first with his 42-inch maximum vertical leap. 

Those athletic tools all enhance Carter’s ball-hunting instincts and exceptional hustle. The 22-year-old has the closing speed to successfully jump passing lanes and the leaping ability and strength to beat larger players for rebounds. Carter’s length (wingspan of nearly 6-foot-9) and body control in tight spaces are also major assets. He enjoys bothering ball handlers, blocking jumpers, and generally being a defensive nuisance. 

Carter won the Big East’s Player of the Year award for his extremely productive junior season. On top of averaging 19.7 points, 3.6 assists and 1.8 steals, he grabbed 8.7 rebounds per game. That sort of rebounding is clearly not common for a high-usage guard exerting so much energy on both ends of the floor. 

Carter’s an aggressive player in transition who’s comfortable playing fast, keeping his head up, and finding open teammates. He’s also got a crafty game in the half court that includes tricky, unconventional footwork and finishing. 

Weaknesses

Carter’s shooting can’t be considered a true weakness at this point. Providence needed him to be a high-volume outside shooter and he did that well, attempting 6.8 threes per game and knocking down 37.7 percent of them. He raised his three-point and free throw numbers for a second consecutive year.

Still, it’s worth noting that Carter shot 28.8 percent from long range over his first two college seasons and has a push shot sort of motion in the middle of his jumper. He’s shown he can hit tough, deep shots — and make significant improvements, too — but Carter doesn’t look the part of a great NBA three-point shooter. 

Statistically, assist-to-turnover rate (3.6 assists/2.7 turnovers per game) is one of the few areas Carter didn’t shine. He can run pick-and-rolls and drive downhill, but Carter seems like he’ll be best playing off the ball a good amount in the NBA. It’s difficult to envision him becoming a pure, table-setting point guard. 

Carter could be classified as slightly undersized for an NBA guard, although his length, defensive tenacity and rebounding talent are all promising traits to mitigate potential issues there. His combine measurements were just about identical to De’Anthony Melton’s back in 2018.

Fit

Even if Carter doesn’t pan out as a shooter in the NBA, it’s easy to picture him contributing to playoff wins — pesky defense on the ball; chase-down blocks and vital rebounds; smart cuts and effective drives that relieve a little pressure from the stars.

If the Sixers keep their first-round pick and Carter is available at No. 16, he’d surely be on their radar. Based on how things are trending, he may very well be off the board by then.

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As president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said at his end-of-season press conference, “we have all options on the table.”

If the Sixers wind up staying at No. 16, what options might they have? With the lottery complete, here’s a roundup of mock drafts: 

Sam Vecenie, The Athletic 

Ja’Kobe Walter, Baylor 

Vecenie: “Walter had an up-and-down season, averaging 14.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He was an inconsistent shooter, although teams don’t worry about his long-term upside there. His shot looks clean and he can make them from a variety of situations.

“Teams, however, worry about everything else. Walter isn’t really a lead guard because he doesn’t see the floor well as a passer. Defensively, Walter struggled at times to stay in front of players.

“Scouts are split on Walter’s upside. Most don’t see him as a star, but they disagree on whether he’s a long-term NBA starter or merely a rotation player.”

Vecenie also writes that the Sixers are “seen league-wide as a candidate to trade their pick.” The 6-foot-5 Walter recorded just 50 assists and 47 turnovers last season at Baylor. At 19 years, it’s clear he’s already comfortable finding space for jumpers off both designed and improvised movement, and he’ll shoot them unabashedly.  

Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo, ESPN

Devin Carter, Providence 

Givony: “Most playoff teams could use the defensive versatility, toughness and developing outside shooting Carter brings, especially on a roster with ample shot creation like the 76ers have with Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. The 2023-24 Big East Player of the Year looks like a plug-and-play option at 22 years old, which will be attractive to several teams drafting in this range.” 

Krysten Peek, Yahoo Sports

Devin Carter, Providence 

Peek: “Carter is one of the best two-way guards in the draft. He can come into an established 76ers backcourt and give good minutes with the second unit. During his junior season, he averaged 19.7 points and 3.6 assists per game and capped his college career with 27 points and eight rebounds against a very talented Marquette team.” 

Multiple mock drafts have Carter going one pick earlier — to the Heat at No. 15. His dad, Anthony Carter, started his NBA career with Miami and later served on Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra’s staff. Carter’s always-hustling, competitive game and very strong rebounding for a guard (8.7 rebounds per game as a junior) could certainly appeal to the Sixers. 

Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report

Kel’el Ware, Indiana 

Wasserman: “It seems like Kel’el Ware can only rise during a pre-draft process that will highlight his outstanding measurements, athleticism and comfort level shooting threes.

“Though he struggled during Indiana’s finale and loss to Nebraska, he mostly had a strong last two months in terms of scoring and impact.

“Narratives that point out empty stats or low-impact production have lost steam. He delivered more consistently in one-on-one situations around the basket while also flashing bonus shotmaking touch and range that create more offensive upside.”

Ware transferred from Oregon to Indiana and then averaged 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks his sophomore year. He didn’t shoot free throws well (63.4 percent), but the 20-year-old big man knocked down 17 of his 40 three-point shots (42.5 percent).  

Ricky O’Donnell, SB Nation

Tyler Smith, G League Ignite 

O’Donnell: “Smith was the only player on the G League Ignite roster who qualified as a pleasant surprise this year. The 6-11 forward came over from Overtime Elite and immediately proved he had deep shooting range, tough shot-making ability, and the athleticism to finish inside. … His defense is a mess, but there’s plenty of time to figure out that end of the floor when you can shoot like this.”

Smith posted 13.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game during Ignite’s 2-32 regular season. He’s got a smooth, confident lefty jumper.

Bryan Kalbrosky, USA Today

Ron Holland II, G League Ignite 

Kalbrosky: “This is noticeably lower than the consensus projection for the former McDonald’s All-American. But after a tumultuous season with G League Ignite this year, it seems possible that the talented Holland (like Cam Whitmore did last year) could experience a bit of a slide on draft night. That doesn’t mean he won’t have success in the NBA, just that he may have to wait a bit longer to hear his name called than he would like.”

Holland is widely viewed as a top-10 prospect. He was unsurprisingly inefficient for the cellar-dwelling Ignite, but the rangy forward is a gifted defender and excellent athlete who won’t turn 19 years old until July. 

We’ll see how things unfold for players like Kelly Oubre Jr. and Buddy Hield. Regardless, Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey won’t surround All-Star cornerstones Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey with the identical supporting cast.

Whether or not Morey adds another star, he’ll again be tasked with acquiring the right role players. Here are eight external options that could make sense for the Sixers: 

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 

Caldwell-Pope is a two-time NBA champion and the epitome of a durable, rock-solid veteran wing. 

The Nuggets have leaned on his dogged defense against stars. Over the past four seasons, he’s made 40.6 percent of his three-point shots. 

The Denver Post’s Bennett Durando reported in late March that Caldwell-Pope was expected to decline his $15.4 million player option and “attract a robust market.” 

Malik Monk 

Monk finished a very narrow second this season to Timberwolves center Naz Reid for Sixth Man of the Year.

On paper, Monk is the sort of shifty, explosive scorer who could keep the Sixers’ offense afloat — and ease the burden on fellow Kentucky product Maxey — when Embiid’s off the floor. And at 26 years old, Monk may very well establish himself as a starter and hit his prime over the next few seasons. 

Andre Drummond 

Drummond’s road did not wind back to Philadelphia at the trade deadline, but could a second stint materialize through free agency?

Drummond’s deficiencies are well-known, but he remains an all-world rebounder. He led NBA regulars this year in both offensive rebounding percentage and defensive rebounding percentage.

Sixers head coach Nick Nurse always emphasizes the possession game, and defensive rebounding was a significant weakness for his team in both the regular season and playoffs. Signing Drummond would be one way to address that. 

Tyus Jones

Jones is a high-assist, low-turnover point guard who shot a career-best 41.4 percent from three-point range this year with the Wizards. The 27-year-old does dependably strong work conducting his team’s offense.

Kyle Lowry, Cameron Payne and De’Anthony Melton‘s futures all loom large in the Sixers’ guard picture. Along with Jones, Monte Morris, Delon Wright and Aaron Holiday are among this summer’s veteran free agent ball handlers. 

Kris Dunn 

Dunn is an outstanding on-ball defender who regained stable NBA footing in Utah over the last year and a half. 

“He is a defensive ball hawk, first and foremost,” Jazz head coach Will Hardy told reporters, per The Salt Lake Tribune’s Andy Larsen. “He’s able to pressure the ball, guard multiple positions, create turnovers, and disrupt the timing of the other team’s offense.”

The Sixers finished the 2023-24 season fourth in defensive turnover percentage, according to Cleaning the Glass. Dunn is the kind of player who could boost the team further in that department. 

Naji Marshall 

Nicknamed “The Knife,” Marshall rose from undrafted to rotation fixture with the Pelicans. 

Much of the Atlantic City native’s success stems from his competitive spirit, hustle, and knack for doing a little bit of everything. The 6-foot-6 wing made a career-high 38.7 percent of his threes this season. 

Derrick Jones Jr.

Jones’ season has played out in a very similar fashion to Oubre’s. 

After signing a one-year, minimum-salary deal late in the summer, the lefty forward became an important member of the Mavs; he’s averaged 29.4 minutes this postseason. 

Like Oubre, the ultra-athletic Chester native looks set for a pay raise. 

Luke Kennard

If the Grizzlies decline Kennard’s $14 million team option, he’ll be a free agent. 

He’s an elite shooter, which could be especially appealing for the Sixers if Hield signs elsewhere. The worst three-point shooting year of Kennard’s career is 39.4 percent. Since the 2020-21 season, he’s at 45.9 percent. 

“This offseason’s a big one,” Morey said at the Sixers’ training complex in Camden, New Jersey. “I owe it to the fans, to ownership, to everybody to get this team to a place where we’re competing for championships, and we obviously didn’t achieve that this year. But we’re very well-situated to use all the tools — trade, free agency, draft — to upgrade the team. 

“We’re going to put every single effort into that. (Head coach Nick Nurse) is going to be right there with us. Besides our two great players, we think we have one of the best coaches in the league and we’re excited for the offseason.”

Here are five items that stood out from Morey’s press conference: 

You can count on change 

As he wrapped up a response about the 2024 NBA draft class, Morey highlighted how little is set in stone for the Sixers.

The team holds the 16th and 41st picks in the draft. Superstar center Joel Embiid remains under contract and Most Improved Player winner Tyrese Maxey is eligible for a five-year max extension. Paul Reed and Ricky Council IV have non-guaranteed contracts. Jeff Dowtin Jr. has a club option for the 2024-25 season.

“As you might expect, we have all options on the table,” Morey said of the draft, “(including) trade into the future so that we can keep more picks available for future trades. If we do pick, I’m excited about who’s there. We could trade back, pick up a player. I do like having a good core of young players. I feel like we’re developing that with Paul and Ricky Council. … I do think you want to have a few young players who are pushing your vets. 

“But we’re mostly going to be a veteran-laden team after an offseason where there’s going to be a lot of change. Except for Nick Nurse, Joel, Tyrese, Paul and Ricky, we don’t know for sure who’s going to be back next year.”

Wanting a wing 

In a spot where vagueness wouldn’t have been surprising at all, Morey was relatively specific about what he views as the Sixers’ largest need next to their Embiid-Maxey core. 

“I would say the biggest need is not at their position — someone at the wing who can play and deliver at a high level in the playoffs,” Morey said. “That’s the biggest need.”

There are clearly many players who might fall under that description. The Sixers have been heavily linked to nine-time All-Star Paul George, who can decline his $48.8 million player option with the Clippers and become a free agent. Morey tends to have interest in just about any star who might be available.

George turned 34 years old a few days ago. Morey indicated the Sixers weigh many variables in the team-building process and won’t be strongly deterred by age alone. 

“You have to factor in everything, including age. … If anything, the direction of the arrow on age has been that it’s less of an impact than it has been in the past,” he said. “Look, that’s what I mean by you can’t prescribe or proscribe anything and say, ‘Oh we’ve now figured it out.’ … It was 100 percent being written for a while that you don’t need bigs. You need lots of switchable wings and you’re going to be fine. And now that’s gone. 

“My point is it’s never about that. It’s always about get the best players you can, get a great coach, figure out how to win with that set of players, and then go win the damn thing. It’s not about, ‘Hey, this new thing is exactly how everyone …’ We do know you want to be able to shoot more. I think we’ve learned that. That one’s a long trend, going for a long time. But other than that, I don’t see many rules that tell you how to build a contender.” 

Still a star-driven league 

Given Maxey’s rise to All-Star status and Embiid’s immense dominance when healthy, one could reasonably argue that the Sixers don’t need to be chase hard after another star. 

Morey has a different perspective. 

“We definitely look at fit,” he said. “We’re not really focused, necessarily, on the exact bucket, whether it’s max (contract), role player or whatever. We’re focused on getting the best players within the CBA constraints. … Generally, historically, having top players works better. 

“Just to talk about storylines, everyone’s like, ‘Oh, it’s the teams with depth that win!’ Well, of course you go back a little bit and you have recent teams that won without much depth, like the Lakers recently. You have teams without continuity that have won recently. We’re not going to have continuity. Hopefully we’ll have continuity going forward a little better. We’ll have continuity with our stars and our head coach. But we’re going to have a lot of change this offseason. 

“So it’s good that recent teams like the Lakers, like Toronto, like the Milwaukee Bucks — who made big changes the year they won the title — they didn’t have a ton of continuity those years. … There isn’t a formula. Everyone wants to find a pattern and there isn’t one. The pattern is have really good players and have them (be) better than all the teams you’re going to play.” 

Any team centered around three big-money players needs to be savvy about its surrounding pieces. 

Morey cited the example of Kelly Oubre Jr., who signed a minimum-salary deal with the Sixers late last offseason and went on to play 37.3 minutes per game in the playoffs. 

“I like having the challenge,” Morey said, “finding the guys that are overlooked — the Kelly Oubres of the world. Getting a Kyle Lowry, guys like that. I like that challenge. I think that’s something that the front office is very good at. … I think generally, the history of the NBA would favor — even with the new CBA — get studs who can then put the work and the onus on the front office to find the players that fit around (them).” 

Hield pickup not what Morey expected 

Speaking of Oubre: Would Morey like to bring the lefty wing back for more than a single season? 

“We have interest in pretty much all our free agents,” he said. “It’s just we’re definitely not going to bring them all back; it’s just the reality of the league. 

“Kelly was one that was such a breath of fresh air, played so hard, won over the city — which isn’t easy. He gave us really key minutes in the regular season and the playoffs, so he’s definitely someone that we have interest in.” 

During the NBA’s last dealmaking window, Morey’s main addition was Buddy Hield. A few months later, Hield is among that extensive list of internal free agents. He said after scoring 20 points off the bench in the Sixers’ Game 6 loss to the Knicks that he’d “like to be in Philly again.”

Hield only played five regular-season games and one play-in tournament win alongside Embiid. He then entered the first NBA playoffs of his career, and they did not start well. Hield shot 1 for 7 from the field over Games 1 through 3 against the Knicks and was outside the Sixers’ rotation for Games 4 and 5.

Morey was candid about Hield not helping the Sixers as much as he’d envisioned.

“I think, (through) no fault of Buddy’s, the fit was less good than I thought,” he said. “Obviously most of his time was without Joel. But I thought when Joel was back, that his impact and his shooting … that he’d get more open shots. He didn’t. And so that’s on me that it didn’t work out as well as we hoped.

“I still think it was one of the better (deadline) acquisitions. I was really happy he showed what he could do in Game 6. … But there was no one more disappointed than him that he fell out of the rotation. I think Nick correctly saw, based on how they were guarding us, that it was hard for him to impact the game. 

“And then, when they changed up how they were guarding us, he did show what he can do. But yeah, I think Kyle Lowry and Cam Payne, both of them really added to the team. They were able to add at a high level. And then Buddy, it just didn’t quite work as well as we had hoped. But I do think going forward, it still could work, depending on the other players that are around Joel and Tyrese.”

‘I think it’s important to support the dreams of your best player’ 

Coming off another postseason in which he gutted through health issues, Embiid has the Paris Olympics on deck this summer. He’s one of 12 stars on the roster for the Team USA men, whose first group game is July 28 vs. Serbia.

Morey was asked whether he has any concerns about Embiid participating in the Olympics. 

“I mean, the way the NBA has it set up, it’s not even a decision for the team,” he said. “I know for Joel, I was lucky enough to be at his celebration when he became a U.S. citizen. He’s incredibly proud to be a U.S. citizen. It’s a dream of his to represent the United States in the Olympics. I think it’s important to support the dreams of your best player. I understand the questions. I understand that there are folks that could have an opinion on the other side on that. 

“But first off, it’s not even in our hands. Second off, we would always support Joel in something that important to him, and I think it’s cool … that’s one of the dreams he’s had since he became a citizen.”

Morey will speak with reporters early Monday afternoon. Before that, let’s run through some additional end-of-season notes — internal free agents, young players’ offseason plans, and more: 

Council’s summer ambitions 

At the moment, the Sixers hold the 16th and 41st picks in the 2024 NBA draft, which is scheduled for June 26 and June 27. Despite making no picks last year, they did quite well to come away with Ricky Council IV. 

Council didn’t end up receiving any wild card sort of playoff minutes, but the 6-foot-6 rookie earned a standard NBA contract late in the regular season. Along with his skill development, Council’s determined, ready-for-anything demeanor impressed Sixers head coach Nick Nurse. 

At his exit interview Friday, Council said he studies “a little bit of everybody” as he works to build his game further. 

“I’ve always been big on versatility,” he said. “So for example, Jalen Brunson, his ability to draw fouls effectively. Almost every time he has the ball, it’s either a foul or a bucket. I want to have that in my game. 

“That’s one thing I’ve been talking to (player development coach Toure’ Murry) about and we’ll probably get to work on next week. You can’t stop it. And in my opinion, I don’t think he’s flopping. I think he’s getting fouled, if we’re being completely honest. I can say that because the series is over. I think he’s getting fouled; he just knows how to get fouled. So that’s one thing for sure.” 

Council recalled shooting 1 for 17 from three-point range last year over the Salt Lake City and Las Vegas summer leagues and being reluctant to even attempt catch-and-shoot jumpers.

A few months later, his results and confidence were much improved. Council shot 37.8 percent from three-point range overall with the Delaware Blue Coats and went 12 for 32 (37.5 percent) with the Sixers.

Does Council plan to make any summer tweaks to his shooting form?

“No,” he said. “I’m not really worried about mechanics (anymore). It’s more about just reps and staying consistent. If I’m shooting and I feel like it’s not consistent, then we’ll look at that. But it’s been consistent for a while now.”

He’ll continue to share many hours in the gym with Murry, who can certainly understand Council’s position from experience. Both Murry and Council played at Wichita State (Council later transferred to Arkansas) and went undrafted. And as rookies, both were coached by Nurse and gained valuable experience in the G League.

“I feel like everywhere I go, I always have this type of relationship with somebody,” Council said. “At Arkansas, it was my guy Markus (Black). Now it’s Toure’. I don’t look at him as a coach. I don’t really know his position; he’s like a big brother to me. I talk to him the way I want to. He talks to me the way he wants to. It’s not like a professional (dynamic). … If I need something, I’m going to tell him. If he needs something from me, he’s going to tell me. That’s my guy. 

“That’s my big brother for sure, and it makes that easier. I text him all the time: ‘You saw this? You saw that little pickup Brunson just did? We need that.’ I can’t wait to get to work this summer. I proved a lot of people wrong … there’s more to come of that for sure.”

Melton on his back injury, free agency 

Though De’Anthony Melton managed to make one final return from his lumbar spine injury, he played just seven minutes in the Sixers’ six-game playoff series loss to the Knicks.

He told reporters Friday that offseason back surgery won’t be necessary. 

“We have talked about that, but no,” Melton said. “No surgery, which is real good. I think where I’m at now is just rest and recover, but at the same time, strengthening the other stuff to where this doesn’t come back in any type of fashion.” 

When healthy, Melton was a versatile, important member of the Sixers’ rotation. Over 115 games the last two seasons, he averaged 10.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.6 steals. 

Melton, who’s set to hit free agency, said he “would love to” return to the Sixers, but “I understand that it’s a business, so I’ll roll with whatever.” 

“I’ve established myself here,” he said. “I love the city, I love the team. The guys are hilarious. I love the ambition that everybody brings coming to the games. I love the fans. I love that they’re screaming, cheering. I love how hard they are on us at the same time. But I do feel like it’s unfinished business, and I feel like with the core that we do have, it’s one of the better ones with everything that it brings to the table.”

‘I think it’s time to do what’s best for me’ 

KJ Martin stayed on the bench for the entirety of the Sixers-Knicks series. 

After moving from the Clippers to the Sixers in the James Harden deal, Martin had several extended runs in the team’s rotation. He flashed his explosive athleticism, physicality and small-ball five ability, but Nurse thought the Sixers had better postseason options. 

“I don’t know at this point,” Martin said of his free agency. “The season just ended and I want to kind of take a seat and look at everything. I understand that we have a lot of unrestricted free agents, so it’s hard to say that it would be a good fit because we don’t know who’s going to be on the team. It’s different if we had a lot of guys coming back. … This season was crazy for me. 

“I just need to take a step back, look at my options and do what’s best for me. I got traded twice this year and that wasn’t my choice. And now I have the option to pick where I can go, what’s best for my career. So that’s what I’m going to do. I’m still young. I’m 23, I’m going into my fifth year, so I think it’s time to do what’s best for me and keep moving forward.”

Nurse’s playoff takeaways for Maxey 

Minutes after the Sixers’ Game 6 defeat, Nurse clearly thought Tyrese Maxey should have taken more than four foul shots. 

“I guess I’m a little disappointed that he didn’t get in there a little bit,” Nurse said. “Again, I don’t understand why every time he goes in there, (the officials) just never … it’s kind of been that way. He gets in there and gets sent to the floor time and time and time again. He shot four free throws — one and-one (basket) and one they fouled him in the backcourt. I just don’t understand it. 

“So I think it’s tough for him to go in there. We’ve talked about it before, that when he gets in those situations he’s got to go to something else. You just can’t keep going in there and getting knocked down. … You’ve got to adjust your game a little bit, go to the slam on the brakes, the baseline fallaway, whatever it is that we need to improve on for next season.”

Following his spectacular, gutsy, 46-point Game 5 performance, the Most Improved Player posted 17 points on 6-for-18 shooting and five assists in Game 6. 

“I think the lesson, just in general, is he’s got to understand that he’s not anywhere near where he can be,” Nurse said. “He is an A-player, right? He is an A-player in this league, and he still has a lot of experience, minutes, opportunities, all that kind of stuff to get better.

“I think he had a hell of a series. That’s the first time the guy’s ever played point guard in his life. Pretty big situation to do that. He shouldered it well. He played most of the season, had some unbelievable games in this series, he put us on his back a few times during the year, etc. Those are the things you understand that he can do. 

“And again, I just keep saying that if you’re going to be an A-player, you’ve got to do it most nights. If you’re going to average 30-plus in this league, that means you’ve got to do it most nights. And doing it most nights means that’s a seven days a week, 24 hours a day job — taking care of yourself, developing your skills, watching the film, all that kind of stuff. He’s awesome that way. He just needs a little bit of experience and time, and he can just come back better then.”

Joel Embiid gingerly plopped into his seat set to explain yet another season-ending playoff loss, a familiar scene year-after-year for Philadelphia’s oft-injured All-Star center. Embiid, though, wasn’t alone. He usually dissects defeats by himself on the news conference dais. Tyrese Maxey was by his side this time, though — just as the All-Star guard was on the court, just as he’s expected to be for as long as their contracts allow.

Yes, one more empty season is stamped on Embiid’s prime years.

Will his postseason fortunes ever change in Philly?

Maybe the future really will be different this time for the 76ers. After a decade churning through Embiid sidekicks — Ben Simmons, Jimmy Butler, James Harden and others — the Sixers at last believe they have a perfect partner for Embiid. Maxey’s career skyrocketed this season with his first All-Star berth, the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, and a season-extending 46-point effort in a Game 5 win in New York.

Embiid and Maxey. Maxey and Embiid.

It sounds like the dawn of something good in Philly.

Just like it did with Embiid and Simmons. And Embiid and Butler. And … and, the only guarantee in Philly, no matter the supposed dynamic duo, is a postseason flameout. The Sixers first-round exit against the Knicks made it 41 years since their last NBA championship. The Sixers haven’t even advanced out of the second round since 2001, when Maxey was seven months old.

“I still believe if everything went right, we had a chance,” Embiid said. “But everything didn’t go right.”

Philadelphia 76ers May 3

Tight loss to Knicks stings, but Nurse and Embiid's pride in Sixers is perfectly valid 

Sixers news May 3

Which Sixers will be back? Oubre, Hield, Payne share initial thoughts on free agency 

Sixers observations May 2

3 observations after Sixers' season ends with wild Game 6 loss to Knicks  

The 76ers finished 31-8 in the regular season with Embiid — about a 65-win pace — and a woeful 16-27 without him.

As Embiid goes, so go the Sixers.

He just needs more help and, outside of Maxey, the 76ers were ill-equipped to deliver it for him.

“Every single year it’s always been one person comes in, and the following year they’re gone,” Embiid said. “The same thing just kept happening, kept happening the last few years. This is really the first time where you got him, and obviously, (Maxey’s) taken a step, and he was amazing this year. One of the 10 best players in the world this year. And then you finally get the chance to build around it.”

The summer is set-up as a pivotal one for team president Daryl Morey. The Sixers have the cap space to build a winner around the 30-year-old Embiid, who has two more years and a player option left on his deal. Either way, the 76ers promise to have yet another makeover ahead of next year.

How was it possible for starting forward Tobias Harris to go scoreless in Game 6 — and take only two shots in 29 minutes — in what was all-but guaranteed to be his last game as a Sixer with his five-year, $180-million contract off the books.

Harris, one of the most unpopular Sixers this century, averaged 17 points in the regular season but just nine points in six playoff games. He went scoreless for the Sixers for the first time since he was acquired from the Clippers in February 2019.

“Not really thinking about that, but thanks,” he said, when asked about his potential Philly finale.

Sixers fans are ready to move on — and so are the Sixers.

Harris’ exit would help clear space in the salary cap and give the Sixers about $65 million under the cap to play with this summer. Morey and team ownership haven’t been shy about spending, signing Embiid and Harris to max contracts, for example. Maxey is set to get paid, with a max deal on the table for the restricted free agent. He could get that offer as early as the start of free agency on June 30.

“We have some experience together and so I think that’s the way to go,” Embiid said. “You just have to keep going, keep building around it, and find the right mix of people to make it happen.”

The Sixers were pleased with the play of Kelly Oubre Jr., Kyle Lowry and Nic Batum, and all could be brought back on one-year deals.

But with money to spend, how about a big play at a big free agent? The 76ers toyed with signing LeBron James in the past. How about one more shot to see if he wants to chase a championship with Embiid? Clippers forward Paul George could be a top target. James and George would have to decline player options to hit the market. Sixers coach Nick Nurse won a championship in Toronto with Pascal Siakam and was an assistant coach with the Raptors when DeMar DeRozan was on the team. Both players are free agents and could be a nice fit in Philly.

Embiid was hurt, again. He played on one good leg and through a bout with Bell’s palsy in the postseason. Injuries are just part of the deal with Embiid, who has never even played 70 games in a season. Last season’s NBA MVP, Embiid is set to play this summer for Team USA at the Paris Olympics. While there’s clearly value in playing with a team full of superstars — some who know how to win an NBA championship — do the Sixers really want the 7-footer logging more minutes in the summer when he could be resting, recovering and trying to enter training camp completely healthy?

“I feel like coming back this year, I could have taken more time to heal and get back to myself,” he said. “That’s always been my mindset. I’ve always played through stuff, it’s never been an excuse and it’s not an excuse so, for me for the most part I was healthy.”

Morey’s 2023-24 Sixers team was full of players on expiring contracts. Now, with the Sixers knocked out of the playoffs by the Knicks, he’ll ponder all the team-building possibilities around All-Stars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. 

Free agency is always multifaceted, but here’s what the unrestricted free agents in the Sixers’ playoff rotation said late Thursday night about their futures: 

Kelly Oubre Jr. 

The Sixers added Oubre in late September on a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal. 

He was much better than the typical player on that contract, averaging 15.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists. 

“I just want to be loved for me,” Oubre said. “I don’t know about the business side of it. I mean, I do, but I can’t tell you what I know because I represent myself right now. At the end of the day, I want to go to somewhere where they respect and they love me. It’s been nothing but love here of course. 

“So at the end of the day, I feel as if there’s unfinished business and a lot of things to be done — a lot of work to get better and to get us back here past this threshold that Sixers fans have been wanting to get past for so long. I feel as if I kind of failed because we didn’t get past that.

“I’ve got to just reflect, talk to my family, and sit down and work on the next steps here. But today, I just bask in whatever we’re in right now — this moment, this aura of losing a playoff series — and just use that fire.” 

Oubre regularly had high praise for Sixers head coach Nick Nurse, who worked at developing the 28-year-old wing’s passing and defensive focus.

“He’s the best coach I’ve played for, straight up,” Oubre said. “It’s just his savviness. And he’s a rock star for real, so I can get with that. And he also coaches me tough. He understands what he expects of me, and he expects me to go out there and do it. But I just have to exceed expectations like I’ve always tried to do.”

Buddy Hield 

During the regular season, Hield played more than any NBA player in 19 years — 84 games between the Pacers and Sixers.

He then made three ineffective playoff appearances, stayed on the bench for Games 4 and 5, and gave the Sixers a sensational shotmaking jolt in Game 6 with 20 points and six long-range jumpers. 

Back in February, Morey called him “the best player that was traded at the trade deadline.”

On Hield’s end, what would he like next? 

“I’m here now,” he said. “Yeah, we didn’t get things done how we wanted, but I’d like to be in Philly again. Philly, they traded for me and I feel like they want me, too. To me, I look at it like I came to the party late. … Right now, Philly’s the priority for me.

“We’ll see when it comes down. My agent is one call away and we’ll figure something out. But if not, I’ll put my head down and keep working, and I’m sure God is going to open up doors for me and for others.” 

Nicolas Batum 

Embiid had his locker next to Batum’s and conversed in French with the 35-year-old forward. He enjoyed playing alongside the selfless, well-rounded veteran.

At this summer’s Paris Olympics, Embiid will suit up for Team USA and Batum will represent the host nation. We’ll see what comes after that for Batum, who moved to the Sixers from the Clippers in the Halloween James Harden trade. 

“I could feel the passion of this city for sports, for the Sixers, and I fit right away,” he told reporters. “That first game, I came in against the Wizards and I could feel it. Those fans … when you get booed, I said, ‘OK, get right. It’s tough right now, so you’ve got to play better.’ This city’s not for everybody. They’re happy, I think. I tried my best. … It was fun. 

“I’m sorry, guys, that we couldn’t have a better playoff run. You guys showed up and that was amazing tonight. The support was great. In the city, people were really cheering for us. That was cool.” 

Kyle Lowry 

Lowry signed in February off the buyout market, finally joining his hometown team.

The 38-year-old reunited with Nurse, started next to Maxey, and appreciated the chance to help a young star learn the nuances of running a team.

“We just lost so I’m not even thinking about anything but figuring out how to get some sleep tonight,” Lowry told reporters, “because I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep with the way we lost the game. I had a great opportunity to be a part of two superstars in this league and for me, it was a joy to be around them. We’ll see what happens in the next couple months.”

Cameron Payne 

Traded from Milwaukee to Philadelphia at the deadline, Payne earned his way into Nurse’s postseason rotation with confident, crafty, always-energetic play.

He said he “absolutely” wants to return to the Sixers. 

“I love Philly,” Payne said. “I think Philly loves me. I like the vibes so far. Everybody’s rocking with me here. I guess I kind of set a good tone here, made a good impression. Hopefully, I’ll be back. I like this locker room. I like this (locker) right here. Hopefully, I’m back.” 

Tobias Harris 

Harris signing elsewhere surely makes tons of sense for both him and the Sixers.

After his scoreless Game 6, Harris said he was “not really thinking about” whether he’d just played his last game as a Sixer. 

Over his five-year Sixers contract, Harris played 378 regular-season games and 57 playoff games. His 575 made three-pointers are fourth in team history.

This time around, the Sixers couldn’t reach a Game 7 or get past Round 1, suffering a six-game, all-consuming series defeat to the Knicks. But the Sixers didn’t wilt as they had in humiliating, season-ending losses the last two postseasons to the Celtics and Heat, nor did they collapse and blow chance after chance to beat a decidedly less talented opponent like the 2021 Hawks. 

In Nick Nurse’s first season as head coach, the Sixers played their part in a series stuffed with great games and lost it. The Knicks scored 650 total points and the Sixers scored 649.

“I just said that I was proud of them because I thought they fought,” Nurse said Thursday night following Game 6. “That’s all I’ve ever said. When we get out there, we’re going to fight no matter what the score is, if guys are out or injured. Whatever’s going on, we’ve got to go out there and fight. And they certainly did that in this series and for the majority of the season.”

Nurse always aims for high-effort, low-mistake basketball. By and large, his players were exemplary vs. the Knicks on the effort piece.

Joel Embiid averaged 33 points, 10.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.5 blocks while grinding through his latest miserable mix of playoff health issues, including Bell’s palsy. With the Sixers’ season teetering over a cliff, Tyrese Maxey somehow hauled it back to solid ground with his 46-point, ultra-clutch Game 5.

Cameron Payne shifted from out of Nurse’s rotation to draining jumpers and delighting the home crowd in Game 3. Buddy Hield did the same in Game 6. Nicolas Batum and Kyle Lowry lived up to their reputations as composed, quick-thinking veterans. 

“We got better,” Lowry told reporters. “I think the guys in this locker room, they competed at a high level. The things Joel showed us in this series playing on one leg; Tyrese’s growth; (Kelly Oubre Jr.’s) toughness. I think the team just showed the competitive nature. It was fun. After 18 years, you’d think it gets easier, but it just sucks even more when you lose, especially with a great group of guys like this. It was fun to be a part of.” 

After his strong Game 5, Tobias Harris … did not go out on a high note. He was profoundly peripheral in Game 6, posting zero points on 0-for-2 shooting, four rebounds and three assists. 

Still, broadly speaking, Nurse’s team wasn’t light on scrappiness. 

“One thing I’ll say is everybody in that locker room tried,” Embiid said. “We played hard. I know it wasn’t enough, but I can tell you that everybody in that locker room cared. 

“We gave up a lot of offensive rebounds, but it’s not because we wanted to. We tried our best. At times we could’ve tried harder, but sometimes it just doesn’t work your way. But everybody in that locker room cared and everybody in that locker room wanted to win. And we tried. We played so hard and we pushed ourselves. I’m just proud of them.” 

Nurse will want greater precision and fewer botched plays in his second season. For instance, after Embiid’s layup cut New York’s lead Thursday to 114-113 with 20.8 seconds left, the Sixers didn’t manage to intentionally foul the Knicks for nearly 10 seconds. And Embiid was the one to do it, committing his sixth personal and watching the final moments from the bench. 

“I thought we started making some strides,” Nurse said. “Listen … you know some of the ups and downs. There was a time we had a whole bunch of guys out. All anyone kept talking about was Joel was out, but we had a whole fleet of guys out. And the challenge was, ‘Can we get them to a compete level? Can we go out there and compete?’ We had to raise up our level of just competing. 

“But special situations, end-of-game stuff, ATO stuff, it was just probably not as sharp as I would’ve liked to have had it, right? I think they did really (well). Even in a lot of these games, we ended up executing a lot. We got a lot of good shots … late in the game, so they were doing a lot of that off the board and they did a good job.” 

As far as the future, nothing looks very certain besides Maxey and Embiid being a brilliant duo that can get better (and needs to).

“He has a chance to do something special next year again,” Embiid said at the podium postgame, referring to the 23-year-old Most Improved Player winner on his left. “I hope he becomes All-NBA this year, but I think he can be in stuff like MVP conversations. I think he can take that next step.” 

And whatever faces surround Embiid and Maxey on the 2024-25 Sixers, we know the gist of what Nurse will push for. 

“I still think playing hard goes a long way in this league,” he said, “so we’ll keep at it.”