Philadelphia 76ers: Cross Taurean Prince off the free agency wishlist

The 2022 NBA Free Agent Class is notoriously weak.

Though there are a few intriguing players who will demand massive paydays, including DeAndre Ayton and Jalen Brunson, most teams are looking to upgrade their roster on the margins as there aren’t many ready-made starters who can be transplanted onto a team and average 20 points per game in this year’s class.

With that being said, there are still interesting options across the board who could provide great value in the right scheme. There are centers like Kevon Looney, who should have a robust market after a career-defining playoff run with the Golden State Warriors, a guard like Tyus Jones, who looked really good in place of MIP-Award winner Ja Morant, and more than a few forwards who could entice teams like the Philadelphia 76ers who need help on the wings.

Unfortunately, there is one name who has to be crossed off Daryl Morey’s wish list, if he was ever there at all, as, according to Adrian Wojnarowski, Taurean Prince has agreed to a new two-year, $16 million extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

No T. Prince for the Philadelphia 76ers.

On paper, Taurean Prince would have been a good fit with the Philadelphia 76ers. He’s a long, veteran forward who can shoot a little, defend a little more, and is a certified dog capable of setting the tone with his aggressive style.

Over the past two seasons, split between the Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Minnesota Timberwolves, Prince has averaged 8.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game in just under 19 minutes of action while hitting 38.5 percent of his 3.5 attempts per game from beyond the arc. He’s played alongside All-Star point guards like Darius Garland, shared a frontcourt with a 3-point shooting big in Karl-Anthony Towns, and even worked well with Kevin Durant in Brooklyn before being traded to Ohio as part of the James Harden trade.

While Prince may not have been the top name on many a Sixers fan’s wishlist, his addition would have likely been met with positive reviews as, at just 28, the Baylor-educated forward has plenty of good basketball ahead of him and is on the exact same timeline as Joel Embiid. But now, fortunately or not, that option is no longer on the table; Prince opted for the payday over risking a lesser one on free agency, and the Sixers will now have to use their mid-level exception – be that of the taxpayer or non-taxpayer variety – on another forward who can play both ends of the court and could provide some fire between the whistles.

Hmmm… Whoever could that be? With the start of free agency rapidly approaching, NBA news is about to start coming fast and loose. The New York Knicks have already executed a player/pick dump to the Detroit Pistons in the pursuit of Jalen Bronson, and since more than a few similar moves will likely happen before the end of the week, all the Philadelphia 76ers can do is stick to their guns, and look to improve their roster, how ever they best see fit going into training camp. Anthony Leon Tucker, come on down!