Fansided

3 Philadelphia 76ers who definitely won’t be back next season

By Alicia de Artola

May 11, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers reacts during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics in game six of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers reacts during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics in game six of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Philadelphia 76ers forward Jalen McDaniels. (Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports) /

The 76ers failed to reach the Eastern Conference Finals again this year, falling to the Celtics in seven games. Departures big and small are sure to follow.

After sweeping the Nets in first round of the NBA Players, the 76ers had hopes of taking the next step towards the Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics would be a formidable foe, but not unbeatable.

So the disappointment of a Game 7 loss to Boston was always going to be sharp. Watching it all go down in flames in a 24-point second-half blowout made it all the more painful

Philadelphia fell 112-88 to the Celtics to end their season. Now they get to make some tough personnel decisions as the offseason looms.

Philadelphia 76ers who definitely won’t be back next season

No. 3: Jalen McDaniels

Philadelphia added Jalen McDaniels via a trade earlier this year. He averaged 6.7 points per game in the regular season and brought a solid defensive presence to the floor, presumably auditioning for a contract.

And at first it looked like the 76ers would be willing to use him in the playoffs. He averaged 16.5 minutes int he series against the Nets and had 11 or more minutes in the first three games of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Celtics. Then…well, he wasn’t part of the plan anymore. He didn’t play in Game 4, 5 or 7 and got one minute in Game 6.

That could be a Doc Rivers issue, but it won’t do much to inspire McDaniels’ confidence in his current spot.

McDaniels should have suitors in free agency and based on the way Philly utilized him in the postseason, he may not be part of the plan, unless a new regime makes it so.