After adding Jaylen Brown via trade and LeBron James via free agency, the Sixers have become one of the most discussed teams in the league.
They still have a 15th roster spot available and will more than likely move into next season with that spot unfilled, since they are currently just $1.8MM below the first apron hard cap, a number well below the $2.45MM veteran’s minimum, Adam Aaronson writes for The Philly Voice.
In addition to being unlikely to make any more signings this summer, they’re also not expected to make any more last-second trades, given that only nine players on the roster are currently trade-eligible, including four starters and this year’s first-round pick, Labaron Philon Jr.
Any subsequent trades, which would presumably be aimed at the backup center spot, would probably occur closer to the trade deadline, Aaronson writes, whether that’s dealing one of Philon or newly-signed backup guard Anfernee Simons, depending on who performs better, or backup center Ariel Hukporti, whose $3.4MM contract is a better trade chip than the lower-figure deals for Jabari Walker, Adem Bona, or Justin Edwards.
We have more from around the Atlantic Division:
The Knicks have been navigating an expensive roster all summer, and have been doing everything in their power to add talent while not adding money. They currently have just 13 players on guaranteed deals for next season, have yet to sign either of their two rookies, and haven’t added a two-way player. The team will add a 14th player before the season starts, James L. Edwards III writes for The Athletic, but they don’t seem in a rush to do so. Last season, they had players compete for the 14th spot, which eventually yielded the playoff standout Landry Shamet, and they could do so again this season. They could also be waiting for a team to cut a player they like so they can sign them going into preseason. There are still centers who could fill their need for a third-string big man available, as Edwards lists Kelly Olynyk, Bismack Biyombo, and Nick Richards, but the Knicks appear in no rush to make a move before having all the information possible.
The Nets are hoping they got their franchise point guard in this year’s draft when they selected Mikel Brown Jr. with the sixth overall pick. Brown is hoping to repay that faith by focusing on the right things as the team looks to build up the kind of winning culture that’s been missing in recent years, Jed Katz writes for MSN. “It’s about plus-minus with me,” Brown said in a recent episode of Cousins with Vince Carter and Tracey McGrady. “Like if I’m on the court, are we in a plus? Are we, you know, winning the margins? I feel like that’s the biggest thing that kind of separates me from everybody else. And some things that I want Nets fans to know is that, you know, I’m all about winning. Whether that’s me scoring it, whether that’s me playmaking, whether that’s me being a leader, or if I have to be like all of them.” Brown said that in addition to the Louisville brotherhood he shares with Donovan Mitchell, championship point guard Rajon Rando has been acting as a mentor to him, helping him see the game better and answering questions.
Few players are remaining on the roster from the Celtics‘ 2024 championship team, but the team may be deeper than it’s getting credit for, writes The Athletic’s Jay King. The frontcourt is still relatively shallow, especially if Mitchell Robinson misses time with injury, as has been the case in recent years, but Luka Garza showed himself to be capable of handling spot minutes last season, and Neemias Queta was one of the year’s breakout players. The team is also particularly loaded at the wing, with Jordan Walsh and Ron Harper Jr. likely on the outside of the rotation looking in to start the year. Though Boston addedMike Conley this season, they could still use a more reliable third ball-handler, but the bulk of the rotation looks ready to withstand the rigors of the regular season.