The Sixers’ 2024 offseason couldn’t have been better. Paul George, Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon and Kelly Oubre Jr. signed deals on the first day of free agency. Many teams have expressed displeasure when cap space was created over the past decade, but that’s why Daryl Morey is putting financial flexibility first through the 2023-24 season.
George is the star the Sixers have longed to pair with Joel Embiid. George, Embiid, and Tyrese Maxey are the right, very talented big three. Keeping George and Embiid healthy is the real challenge, of course, but the concept makes a lot of sense. that it marked An upgrade on Tobias Harris, even if the size and length of the contract will bring some pain to the Sixers in the latter part of this contract.
Even as he enters his age-34 season, George remains an excellent wing defender. Oubre is active on that end. Gordon is solid at the post. There’s bound to be a degree of decline for George on both ends as he ages, but he can fit into a third-option role here. There will be games where he needs to take more responsibility when Embiid sits, and on other nights, he can be a second-down ballhandler and shooter from his spot. His ability to shoot on the fly opens up a lot of options on offense for Nick Nurse — dribble passes with JJ Redick and Seth Curry can work with George, and the former Indiana Pacers player is capable of running a pick-and-roll with Gordon and Maxey on the weak side.
The 2024 Sixers Offseason Was a Dream Scenario
This is the offseason Sixers fans have been waiting for. Jimmy Butler left as a free agent. Harris and Al Horford were expensive acquisitions that didn’t pan out. The protracted sagas with James Harden and Ben Simmons were painful. Neither player was able to get Philadelphia to the conference finals, a stage they haven’t reached since the glory days of Allen Iverson.
George shot 41.3 percent on 7.9 attempts per game last season. Oubre was a solid supporting piece. Gordon is a versatile, reliable shooter. Drummond is the most effective backup Philadelphia has had in the Embiid era (+3.3 per 100 possessions with Drummond on the floor in 2021-22).
Morey is still armed with picks. Whether they make another swing during the 2024 Sixers season or wait until the trade deadline, Philly can add more talent to the position. There’s still a bit of cap space left before Day 2, too, though how much depends on what they do with Paul Reed, who is surplus to requirements after selecting Drummond.
The Philadelphia Sixers have landed the best player on the free-agent market. The team acquired a wing defender to play against Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Drummond's size will be invaluable against the New York Knicks. Morey has a lot of work to do to complete this roster, especially on the front line, but this was the most exciting day in the postseason for the Philadelphia Sixers in years.
Philadelphia has been a title contender for the past half-decade. Landing George, Gordon, Drummond and Uber elevates them into the true inner circle. The Celtics are the only team you can take over right now in the Eastern Conference, even with Kristaps Porzingis missing the first few months of the new season.
