As uncharacteristic as it may sound, the Philadelphia 76ers cannot afford to get all lavish this time around. After going all-in during last year’s spending spree, the front office will be forced to effect some much-needed changes to the roster while being handicapped financially for the most part thanks to their top-heavy payroll.
Daryl Morey and his crew will need to be much more resourceful in the open market. But aside from free agency — and the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft — the front office should look to cash in via trades and bring in players who can bolster the comeback plan they are presumed to be brewing in anticipation of their following campaign.
As players start getting more lucrative price tags commensurate to their level of production, teams are finding it more difficult to retain their own key cogs. As a result, players who would normally be beyond some teams’ purchasing power have become within reach, especially with respect to those who have out-valued their current deals.
Case in point? Look no further than Lakers star Austin Reaves.
The 76ers could take advantage of the Lakers’ dicey situation with Austin Reaves
The Lakers pulled off a tremendous pivot for their future when they managed to hypnotize the Mavericks into sending Luka Doncic their way. But aside from that, another feel-good story from them this season was the major leap Reaves took as their nominal third star.
However, that may not last for long. According to some whispers on the market, the 27-year-old’s camp is seeking a huge pay increase on his next deal which, if true (and it probably is given his below-market deal at present), would greatly lessen the Lakers’ chances at re-upping him.
People are already suggesting that Los Angeles makes a move to extract some assets out of him while they can, and in that case, the 76ers should definitely try to dip their fingers into that scenario. While Philly has no realistic way of going after him to the end that he re-signs for a longer deal, the 76ers need to win now, and Reaves’ current deal makes him an easy target to trade for.
While he may be a rental, Reaves would be a significant addition to the team’s backcourt, especially if the 76ers fail to come to terms with Quentin Grimes on a new deal. Reaves registered 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per outing this season, which were all career-best marks. Making that even more incredible is the fact that he played next to two, ball-dominant stars in Doncic and LeBron James.
The Philadelphia 76ers have no more room for shortsighted moves, but if the situation between the Lakers and Austin Reaves turns sour, the front office could definitely consider incentivizing Los Angeles, even for just a bit, to secure the all-around guard’s services.