5 offseason needs for the Philadelphia 76ers

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 23: Tobias Harris #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers high fives Jimmy Butler #23 against the Brooklyn Nets in Game Five of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at the Wells Fargo Center on April 23, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

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BROOKLYN, NY – APRIL 18: T.J. McConnell #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets during Game Three of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 18, 2019 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Find a backup PG

It appears as though the T.J. McConnell era is likely coming to an end.

The longtime Process stalwart was limited to garbage time for most of the playoffs, as his reluctance to take long-range jumpers made him unplayable alongside Ben Simmons. During the regular season, lineups featuring both McConnell and Simmons posted a net rating of minus-4.8 and mustered a mediocre 103.1 points per 100 possessions on offense, which would have ranked last leaguewide.

McConnell is a restricted free agent this summer, and given his limited playing time in the playoffs, the Sixers likely won’t prioritize bringing him back. While they relied almost exclusively upon Jimmy Butler and Ben Simmons as their primary ball-handlers in the playoffs, they’ll want to add regular-season insurance at the point to reduce the wear and tear on those two.

The Sixers may plan ahead for McConnell’s departure by spending one of their draft picks on a point guard in June. Virginia’s Ty Jerome would be the dream option at either No. 24 or with one of their early second-round picks, as the 6-foot-5 junior shot 39.9 percent from 3-point range on 5.4 attempts per game this past season.

If the Sixers don’t find a backup point guard in the draft, they’ll have to turn their attention to free agency, where they may use part (or all) of their mid-level exception to address that void.

Patrick Beverley would give them a much-needed point-of-attack defender, although he’ll likely be out of their price range. The free-agent market thins out quickly at that position, which could force them to decide between underwhelming veterans such as Rajon Rondo, Cory Joseph and Ish Smith or unproven younger players like Jerian Grant, Delon Wright and Tyus Jones.

Darren Collison might be the best of the realistic free-agent options if he’s willing to settle for the MLE. But drafting Jerome would help give the Sixers a backup plan at the point if McConnell walks and the free-agent market doesn’t break in their favor.

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