4 Former 76ers Philly Needs To Bring Back This Offseason

The Philadelphia 76ers are entering a pivotal offseason. They basically have clean books with no player other than Joel Embiid having significant guaranteed money for next season. This gives them an opportunity to shape the roster however they think is best fit.

The Sixers obviously need to re-sign Tyrese Maxey and they undoubtedly will. They have other free agents on the roster that they would like to keep including Kelly Oubre Jr, De'Anthony Melton, and Kyle Lowry. Nicolas Batum has expressed a desire to retire but if he doesn't, he should be near the top of the priority list to bring back.

Tobias Harris is likely gone unless he is willing to come back on a much smaller deal. Even then, it might be best to go their separate ways for both sides. Buddy Hield and Robert Covington can return if they are willing to sign reasonable short-term deals.

That means that the Sixers will have plenty of cap space and roster room to make additions to the team. They will scour the free-agent market and look at their options in the trade market. This includes considering former Sixers who may be available this summer. Let's explore four scenarios in which Philadelphia can bring back a former Sixer.

Jimmy Butler

This one has been bandied about ever since Philadelphia and Miami's seasons both ended in the first round.

Butler is entering the final season of his contract and there have been some signs that he may have worn out his welcome with the Heat. Pat Riley was surprisingly critical of him after the playoff loss and some have suggested that it may have opened the door for Butler's exit.

The 34-year-old superstar only played in Philly for one season but left an indelible mark. Sixers fans rue the day the team let him walk in free agency back in 2019. Philadelphia never got closer to an NBA championship than the season they had Jimmy Butler when they fell to the Raptors with the infamous Kawhi Leonard shot.

Butler will be welcomed in Philly with open arms. Whether Miami would want to trade him there is a different question. A Maxey-Butler-Embiid trio, however, already has Sixers fans salivating.