The Philadelphia 76ers are inching closer towards officially closing the door on what has been a absolutely disappointing campaign for them. With only a few games left on their regular season slate, the front office now have every reason to broaden their view and take an early look at what could unfold for the team in the coming offseason.
Once again, free agency will be of critical importance for the team this summer. On the heels of the disasterclass they put on this year, it is only imperative for the front office to effectuate some changes to the roster in order to give the squad a fighting chance to get back to relevance next season.
Having said that, the 76ers have to be very cautious about letting some of their own players go. After all, the team will not be enjoying the same, robust financial ammo it enjoyed and utilized to the fullest last year, meaning that productive changes would be less common this time around.
The 76ers should bring back these 3 fringe players in 2025-26
1. Ricky Council IV
It seems hypocritical to want Council back after just recently saying that the 76ers should already give up on him, right? That is certainly a point of concession from us, but it also drives home the point that the young wing has not been really put in a position where he can thrive.
Concerns over his perimeter shooting remain well-pronounced, yet Council nonetheless possesses some useful redeeming qualities on defense and in putting pressure around the rim. There is also a need to emphasize that Council was forced to play next to fellow below-average shooters this season. Given his rather minuscule contract, keeping him for another prove-it year is not the worst idea.
2. Adem Bona
The 76ers rookie has been very impressive when given a long leash this season, and really, that suffices as a reason for Philly to keep him on the roster and actually feed him more court time in 2025-26.
With Joel Embiid unlikely to be 100 percent healthy, Philly has no other choice but to think of the long-term and give Bona more run. This is more so the case given that Andre Drummond has been wildly disappointing as well.
3. Jalen Hood-Schifino
Why would a two-way player who has barely sniffed the court be on this list? Well, two-way prospects are often experimental pieces for teams, and the 76ers are not operating any differently. Hood-Schifino was drafted just two years ago by the Lakers, and his sheer lack of run in LA should not be held entirely against him.
Philly should keep Hood-Schifino as one of their two-way players and give him the reigns in the G-League. That way, he can get his full confidence back with the hope that it could translate whenever he’s called up to play for the 76ers.