Here’s what’s next on the Sixers’ to-do list

The 76ers He achieved his main objective in free agency On the perennial All-Star forward Paul George.

They agreed to sign the All-Star Tyrese Maxey to a maximum contract of five years.

They recovered one of the key players from last season. Kelly Oubre Jr.and began building around the edges with veteran center Andre Drummond and long-range shooter Eric Gordon.

” READ MORE: Paul George was the Sixers’ only hope for a title. The stakes are high. The odds speak for themselves.

It’s been a wildly successful first 24 hours of free agency, but the Sixers still have work to do to fill out the rest of their roster, now with less money to work with after their initial flurry of transactions.

Here are some outstanding issues:

Paul Reed’s non-guaranteed deal

Reed’s future in Philadelphia is more uncertain than ever after these moves early in the offseason.

The big fifth-year was already in an unsecured contractafter the Sixers failed to advance to the second round of the playoffs. But then the Sixers agreed to bring back Drummond, a more proven backup center, on a two-year deal. They also selected UCLA defensive center Adem Bona in the second round of last week’s draft.

“BBall Paul” has long been a fan favorite due to his rebounding, effort-driven playmaking, personality and “get out of the mud” mentality. But it’s also understandable why the Sixers wanted to upgrade this position. They sank every time Embiid wasn’t on the court during their first-round playoff series against the New York Knicks, and they couldn’t stay afloat during the 2023 MVP’s two months. Absence while recovering from knee surgery.

So what are the options?

According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Sixers could waive Reed, which would translate to $9 million in cap space. But without getting into specifics, there are trade scenarios with Reed where they could get back a player who would make roughly $15 million. Think someone of the caliber of forward Dorian Finney-Smith, who could be on the market as the Brooklyn Nets continue their rebuild after trading standout forward Mikal Bridges to the Knicks last week.

Are there more returnees?

The Sixers arrived Sunday with 11 unrestricted free agents.

So far, Oubre is back. But starting from the front. Tobias Harrisveteran striker Nico Batumthe versatile point guard De’Anthony Melton and the reserve center Mo Bamba It is said that everyone has left.

As of Monday night, here are the 2023-24 Sixers remaining on the open market:

Kyle Lowry: He could still be a backup point guard option on a veteran’s minimum contract, considering his deep connection to Philadelphia and the Sixers’ coach. Nurse Nick.

Friend Hield: A lethal long-range shooter who joined the Sixers at the trade deadline but didn’t get enough time to fill the court for Embiid. He eventually slipped out of the starting lineup and then the playoff rotation before an NBA team joined the Sixers at the trade deadline. Outstanding performance in Game 6 Sixers’ loss to the Knicks. After Sunday’s moves, it’s likely too expensive to renew his contract.

Cameron Payne: Another trade deadline acquisition who is an instant offensive backup point guard. He could be available on a veteran’s minimum contract.

” READ MORE: Daryl Morey signs Paul George, his top target and the biggest star of free agency

KJ Martin: Although it is not a constant rotation piece after arriving in the James Harden The 23-year-old, a fascinating athlete and versatile defender, feels like an unpredictable player returning.

Roberto Covington: He would be an intriguing (and likely affordable) option at forward if healthy, after a puzzling bone bruise in his foot caused him to miss more than four months of the season.

Jeff Downin: A point guard who was initially signed to a two-way contract before converting to a standard contract late in the regular season, the Sixers recently… declined his team option for 2024-25.

Power forward and reserve point guard management

These are the clear positional priorities that must be taken into account somehowwith the departures of Harris, Batum and Melton and uncertainty surrounding the futures of Lowry and Payne. Rebounding, along with ball handling and complementary playmaking, are skills the Sixers still need.

If you’re not satisfied with the above categories, some cheaper options in both places happen to have familiar names.

In attack, what about Dario Saric? Marcus Morris Sr.Or Haywood Highsmith? (A name with no ties to the Sixers: Kyle Anderson.)

And at guard, what about Seth Curry?