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NBA free agency is not over — LeBron James is still out there and taking his time with a decision. After that domino falls, a couple of others can as well, such as James Harden re-signing with the Cavaliers. Then there are restricted free agents Jalen Duren and Peyton Watson, still trying to squeeze every dollar out of their next deals.
That said, we have seen enough to declare winners and losers — and teams that are a little of both. Let’s break it down.
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When was the last time 76ers fans could celebrate being on the right side of a head-scratching management decision?
Philadelphia added All-NBA Jaylen Brown in his prime while unloading an anchor of a contract in Paul George, a move that vaults this team into title-contender status. That move came at the cost of two first-round picks, but they would have had to give up one just to get off of George in any other trade, and they pick up a guy who finished sixth in MVP voting last season.
It’s not perfect,there will be growing pains as a ball-dominant Brown has to fit in with a ball-dominant Tyrese Maxey. Also, the idea of the 76ers as contenders ultimately rests on Joel Embiid’s knees and ability to play every other day for a couple of playoff rounds (that said, having Brown there eases the regular season demands and need for Embiid). Concerns aside, there is no question the 76ers are winners this offseason, and new President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey deserves his flowers.
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If we accept Brad Stevens’ premise that in the modern NBA a contending team cannot be built with two supermax players eating up 70% of the team’s cap space — and I don’t accept that, not fully — it doesn’t answer the real issue with Boston’s big:
Why this trade at this time? This return is paltry, although the two first-round picks are a good addition. But this should be a contending team featuring Jayson Tatum in his prime, and they replaced All-NBA Brown with 36-year-old Paul George, who, when healthy, is basically a back-end starter-level player at this point. Mitchell Robinson is a good pickup at the price and helps in the minutes and games he can…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/winners-losers-nba-free-agency-193308705.html
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Publish date : 2026-07-11 19:33:00
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