The Nikola Jokić and Joel Embiid rivalry took a significant shift, with Jokić leading his team to an NBA championship. If both players were to retire today, Jokić’s lone championship would immediately put him ahead of Embiid in the all-time legacy rankings. Luckily for Embiid, he still has a few years left in his prime. If he can capture an NBA title or two, his resume would stack well against Jokić’s.
This will be an unachievable task for Embiid if the Philadelphia 76ers do not surround him with enough talent to compete. The Sixers have experimented by pairing Embiid with countless high-priced players over the years. The team has come close to winning, but nobody has been able to lift Embiid over the hump. This off-season, the franchise has an opportunity to acquire the missing pieces that it needs. Here are three free agents that would immediately improve the 76ers’ chances of winning a title.
The 76ers Should Sign These Three Free Agents
Harrison Barnes
Harrison Barnes will be an unrestricted free agent in 2023. At 31 years of age, he would still be able to give the 76ers big minutes on a nightly basis. The team is going to need a forward to take the minutes that Tobias Harris will be leaving behind if the team moves on from him. Barnes is a bit older than Harris, but he would be an immediate upgrade.
According to Statmuse, Harris had a defensive rating of 113.7 this past season; Barnes had a rating of 119.2. Both players have similar career shooting statistics, but the eye test will tell you that Barnes is better with the ball in his hands. Harris has been known to kill his team’s momentum with his poor shot selection. Meanwhile, Barnes is a leader on the court, takes smart shots, and elevates his teammates.
Harrison Barnes would be a perfect match for Philadelphia. He would fit nicely in the starting lineup alongside Joel Embiid and James Harden. He could also provide the team with another veteran voice in a locker room that needs more discipline.
Bruce Brown Jr.
In a utopian world, the Denver Nuggets would be able to retain all of their players and run it back next season. Unfortunately for the Nuggets, they will likely have to cut ties with somebody to retain their stars for the years to come. As an unrestricted free agent, Bruce Brown Jr. may be the guy that gets the short end of the stick from Denver.
After shooting 51.1% in the playoffs, teams will surely be bidding for the 26-year-old this off-season. Of all the teams in the NBA, Philadelphia would benefit the most from Brown Jr.’s services. He is an efficient shooter off the bench and gifted with length and size.
Philadelphia’s best shooting option off the bench last season was Georges Niang. Niang is a consistent shooter, but he does not have the athletic abilities that Brown Jr. has. Brown Jr. could play more minutes than Niang, defend at a higher level, and attack from more places on the court. Philadelphia could be an attractive destination for Brown Jr. if he wants to play more minutes and get a higher paycheck.
"Earlier this year, a team was trying to talk to me. It was between me & another player. I went up to the front office and I was like, 'Why did you pick him over me?' And they said, 'If you came here, you wouldn't have played.'"
🗣️ Bruce Brownpic.twitter.com/NrN3Hc763F
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 13, 2023
Cory Joseph
Cory Joseph is another free agent that may not be as young as he once was, but he would certainly help fill out the 76ers’ roster. Keith Langlois, an NBA web editor for the Detroit Pistons, believes Joseph will be on the move this off-season.
“While the Pistons surely will want another point guard, and likely a veteran, to supplement the mix, it’s possible Joseph will seek a more prominent role with a veteran team that needs to fill out its rotation with reliable pros on modest contracts to accommodate salary-cap constraints. Casey’s move from the bench to the front office means there’s one less tie binding Joseph to Detroit.”
According to Langlois’s analysis, Philadelphia would be a perfect fit for Joseph. If Harden comes back to Philly, he will be the primary ball-handler. However, adding Joseph to the rotation would let Harden play off of the ball a little bit more and allow Harden to maximize his offensive ability.
Joseph will not be a scorer for the 76ers, but he will protect the basketball and set up his teammates for easier buckets. While many fans want the 76ers to get younger players, adding Joseph would be a low-risk, win-now move.
