The Philadelphia 76ers weren’t expected to make a run to the second round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs, at least before the season began. As a result, an argument could be made that Brett Brown and his team are ahead of schedule at this juncture in “The Process.” With that said, the Sixers have the mechanism to add a big-time free agent this summer and that, in conjunction with the age and talent of their young core, places real expectations on Philadelphia for the 2018-2019 campaign and beyond.
To that end, Brown was prompted about the future as part of the team’s exit interviews and he didn’t shy away from the notion that a “high level free agent” coming to Philadelphia would be possible.
Brett Brown: "I think another high level free-agent is required [to win a championship]. I think we have the ability to attract one." #sixers
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) May 11, 2018
Naturally, Brown did not mention specific names (and poked fun at being fined for the mere insinuation) but he made it clear that it isn’t “Calculus” to figure out the possibilities.
Brett Brown on potential targets who might take the #sixers to the next level: "We don't have to turn this into calculus. It's quite clear."
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) May 11, 2018
Brown didn’t mention either LeBron James or Paul George because, well, he isn’t allowed to. In the same breath, the Sixers are consistently mentioned in the buzz surrounding both All-Star forwards and there are even ways to wager on the prospect of one landing in Philadelphia when July arrives.
The head coach then downplayed the notion, at least from some corners of the basketball world, that there would be potential fit issues when integrated an elite, on-ball talent with Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.
Brown on how much fit would be taken into consideration in free-agent pursuits: "If this player you're describing is great, we'll figure things out…It's as honest and as simple as I can answer that." #sixers
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) May 11, 2018
Amusingly, GM Bryan Colangelo came in with an attempt to diffuse the situation regarding free agency.
Bryan Colangelo tones down Brett Brown's statement that they need to add a high-level free-agent, saying that they need to add another high-level talent. Includes trades + internal development (Markelle Fultz) into that mix.
— Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) May 11, 2018
It is actually fair for Colangelo to reference internal development, especially with regard to Fultz as the No. 1 overall pick just 11 months ago. Still, the time is now for the Sixers to maximize their window with significant salary cap space.
In a vacuum, Philadelphia might not be the favorite to land either James or George and, even if they do, the free agency of J.J. Redick is also something to closely monitor on a team that needs floor-spacing around Simmons and Embiid. Still, there are other ways for the Sixers to improve and, because of the way the stars are aligning (with another potential lottery pick set to arrive), the Sixers are one of the bigger stories to follow between now and mid-July.
