Philadelphia 76ers: Stay or Go Pre Free Agency Edition

Will they stay or will they go?

Soon, the free agency floodgates will open around the NBA, and teams will begin making changes to their rosters ahead of the 2023-2024 NBA season. 

For the Philadelphia 76ers, they have some key changes to make this season. Not only will the Sixers have some players hitting the market, but they also have to find ways to get creative and add some prospects to keep their team competitive for next season.

Taking a look at the players the Sixers could potentially lose in free agency, we’ll predict what happens over the next few days as the free agency market opens up on Friday night.

Do They Stay or Go?

76ers guard James Harden

James Harden

Player Option

On Thursday, Harden accepted his player option for the 2023-2024 NBA season. It was a shocking move, considering Harden was expected to decline the $35 million salary and hit the open market to negotiate deals with the Houston Rockets and the Sixers.

It turns out that Harden wasn’t going to find a deal that meets his demands. While he’ll accept the option with the Sixers, the ten-time All-Star doesn’t want to stick around. Frustrated with the way things played out this summer, Harden is forcing his way out once again. It seems the Sixers are willing to grant his wishes.

Prediction: Go

76ers forward Georges Niang

Georges Niang

Unrestricted Free Agent

Two years ago, Niang joined the Sixers via free agency after spending a handful of seasons with the Utah Jazz. At the time of the signing, Niang was a consistent sharpshooter, averaging 40 percent from beyond the arc. 

Through his two seasons with the Sixers, Niang remained consistent and continued knocking down 40 percent of his threes. In a shooter’s league, the veteran forward brings a valuable skillset to the table. Plus, he’s battle-tested in the playoffs and has a strong locker-room presence.

Niang will have a market in free agency, and he’s already been linked to several organizations, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, and San Antonio Spurs. Philly will likely look to try and bring Niang back for another go-round, but he might earn more elsewhere.

Prediction: Go

76ers guard Shake Milton

Shake Milton

Unrestricted Free Agent

At the start of the offseason, I would’ve considered Shake Milton as good as gone. Since Doc Rivers took over in 2020, Milton has had a hard time keeping a consistent role in the team’s rotation as the Sixers’ former head coach kept him on a short leash.

Multiple factors could lead Milton to consider sticking around if the Sixers are interested. Not only is Doc Rivers out of the picture after getting replaced by Nick Nurse but Philadelphia is expected to lose a ball-handler as Harden’s on the outs. I believe Milton’s chances of returning increase slightly with the latest news, but I believe he’ll be better suited with a fresh start.

Prediction: Go

76ers wing Jalen McDaniels

Jalen McDaniels

Unrestricted Free Agent

The Jalen McDaniels experiment wasn’t great. Not only did he lack consistency during his short stint in the regular season following the deadline trade last year, but the young veteran also fell out of the rotation during the Sixers’ second-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics.

The sole purpose of trading away Matisse Thybulle was to swap for McDaniels, who plays solid defense and can offer a bigger boost on offense compared to the former Sixer — especially during the playoffs. 

Thybulle averaged four points while shooting 31 percent from three over the course of three playoff runs with the Sixers. McDaniels averaged three points while shooting 33 percent from three in eight games. You can’t spot much of a difference in the offensive numbers.

Yet, the Sixers still need to make the trade worth it. As they lost a top-tier defender and a draft pick for McDaniels, it might be worth allowing the 25-year-old to grow in Nick Nurse’s system. 

Prediction: Stay

76ers center Paul Reed

Paul Reed

Restricted Free Agent

If Rivers avoided a firing following another second-round exit, then Reed probably would’ve been open to a change. The young veteran mentioned before last season ended that he was interested in playing for the Sixers beyond the 2022-2023 run.

Just because a player is interested in returning doesn’t mean they’ll be willing to do it at a discount rate. Going from a second-round selection to a two-way player before landing a standard NBA contract, Reed is likely to take the best deal on the table, and rightfully so. As long as another suitor doesn’t totally jack up the price out of the Sixers’ range, Philadelphia should be prioritizing bringing Reed back into the building. 

Prediction: Stay

76ers center Dewayne Dedmon

Dewayne Dedmon

Unrestricted Free Agent

The NBA is a crazy league, and a lot of unpredictable things happen, but I don’t see the Sixers bringing Dewayne Dedmon back on the team. That’s not to say Dedmon had issues, but it was clear when he signed that it was a one-time scenario. Perhaps, the veteran big man will land an opportunity with another contender for the season. 

Prediction: Go