Sixers trying to break through recent free agency drought
Bryan Colangelo and the Sixers are on the quest to get free agents to Philadelphia. Recent history tells us they’ll fail.
The Sixers’ window to pull mid to high-level free agents is slowly closing as the team’s cap is set to decrease with impending rookie contracts expiring on the horizon. Not like the window was open anyways. Philadelphia has failed to attract any decent free agents in the last decade, unless you want to include the disappointing tenure of former all-star Elton Brand.
There is some importance in landing big names. I’ve been profoundly against the signing of point guard Kyle Lowry, despite his unquestioned talents, but I do recognize why the Sixers are considering him. It goes beyond the belief that he can elevate the game.
Signing one of this class’ top free agents sends a message to the rest of the league. And proves to upcoming free agents that Philadelphia is a respectable option. Whether the talents of Lowry mesh with the current roster or not may take a backseat when it comes to front office philosophy on signing the hometown guard.
More from Philadelphia 76ers
- 3 Reasons the 76ers Should Poach Blake Griffin From the Celtics
- 3 Most Overpaid 76ers Heading Into the 2023 Season
- Ranking Daryl Morey’s 3 Biggest Mistakes with 76ers
- 3 Teams Crazy Enough to Trade for James Harden
- James Harden Putting Career in Jeopardy With Holdout Threat
Sure, it’s not the greatest way to run a team, but that thinking can still be looked at as a “long-term” action. It doesn’t hurt that Lowry would give the Sixers their most talented point guard since the Allen Iverson-era. Still, while Philadelphia goes star searching, they must be cautious not to disrupt the growth of their young stars.
With Lowry, the financials matter. Not only will he be getting the max, but by the end of his contract there will be a steep decline in play. Is the allure of bringing in a big name worth the anchors brought with him? Even if it does make an impact to bring free agents to Philadelphia in the future, the team will find itself restrained by financial impacts.
Still, the Sixers have not had a free agent of this magnitude in recent history. This signing would create excitement for the general fan. It would add to the hope that lies in Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. It would give the team an experienced leader. It would also give a team a pricey point guard that will see the dying days of his career in Philadelphia.
Bryan Colangelo will try to break the free agency drought, but at what cost? The Sixers are still years away from a competitive team, and the front office seems inclined to push it forward quickly. It’s a key point in any rebuild, but an especially risky time.
Thoughtless free-spending can halt a team back more than another major injury to a star prospect. It can do more damage than good, if not done properly. The goal for Bryan Colangelo should not be to “break the drought”, but instead bettering the team as it revolves around its young core.
Jerry Colangelo has preached building a team through the draft, and his son sympathized with those opinions. But what kind of team builds through the draft, then switches course to sign a top-name free agent? Unless your the Golden State Warriors signing Kevin Durant, a move that massive will come with both good and bad.
Next: Sixers can utilize second round without trading
Without Lowry, it may be another boring summer for the Sixers. The team would be on the outside looking in for any top free agent, and may strike out in restricted free agency as well. Either way, Philadelphia has to smartly attack this free agent market and not focus on past organizational failures in free agency. Because with every Robert Covington contract signed, there is always an Elton Brand signing in the same vicinity.