The Philadelphia 76ers are at an appealing crossroads this offseason with James Harden expected to hit the cost-free-agent market place, and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins experienced some powerful views when requested about Philadelphia’s course on Monday’s episode of Initially Get.
Perkins criticized how the Sixers seem to be to be centered on retaining Harden and even floated a possible substitute that he believes would boost Philly’s probabilities of successful a championship.
“We really don’t even know who the most essential participant to that franchise is,” Perkins claimed. “The way the Philadelphia 76ers are shifting, they are acting like James Harden is their best precedence, and that’s not it. They have other selections and other gamers that would enjoy to come and perform with Joel Embiid.”
Harden’s postseason performances in opposition to the Celtics drew the ire of some Sixers supporters. He shot just 4-of-16 from the discipline in what could have been a clinching Match 6 and scored just nine details on 3-of-11 shooting in the Sixers’ Game 7 blowout reduction. That has designed some key inquiries as to whether or not Harden can assistance elevate a team (even 1 with Embiid) to a championship.
Perkins’ recommendation for a substitution for Harden in Philadelphia: Raptors guard Fred VanVleet, who not long ago opted out of his agreement with Toronto. In simple fact, Perkins states a trio of Embiid, VanVleet and Tyrese Maxey would be additional potent than the Sixers’ recent core with Harden and Maxey in the backcourt.
“Fred VanVleet has tested to us on the huge stage that he can play off the ball,” Perkins stated. “[Maxey] is likely to be a star in this league. James Harden doesn’t want to acquire a lesser purpose.”
Does Perkins have a point? Though the salary cap implications of signing VanVleet might be challenging, there’s no doubt that loads of scenarios will be explored by the Sixers ahead of the commence of free agency afterwards this 7 days.
