2016 NBA Free Agency: 1 move every team needs to make to be contenders

Philadelphia Sixers

Let’s be realistic here. The Sixers haven’t been relevant in the playoffs in over four years. Former GM Sam Hinkie’s tanking experiment finally paid off with a first overall pick, Ben Simmons, but the team is still a long way away from playing competitive and meaningful playoff basketball in 2016-17.

Some speculate the Sixers could be active in free agency to target players like Matthew Dellavedova and Dion Waiters, but that would be a huge mistake for their cap space. Those players aren’t ready for starting roles, they are starting role players at best and would especially be a poor developmental fit with the Sixers, who lack any veteran players to lead the team and help grow a player like Waiters or Dellavedova. Like the Lakers, their best option is to wait for 2017 when Ben Simmons has another year under him and the free agent class is even better.

If Sixers want to contend this year, their best option may be to look into bringing back the ABA. I doubt they’d be able to get out of the league in just a year, especially not after they signed the jersey ad deal with StubHub. But bringing back the Arena Basketball Association would be one way to avoid repeated the 72 losses they took last season. Otherwise, contending may not be in the picture for them quite yet.

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