The prism of the market the 76ers are working under

If you want a TLDR, 2025 and star hunting is a fantasy that no one should actually take seriously. If one wonders why that Windy report came out, I have a pretty good idea. The FO approached management about the 2025 plan, and Joshua Harris pulled a Bender from Futurama: “Oh wait, you’re actually serious”.

Management vetoed the plan, probably a day or so ago. And from management’s prospective, vetoing this stupid plan was probably the easiest thing to do in Harris’s tenure. Politically, it is easier to sell building a new stadium for a competitive, buying team then it is for a selling team.

That’s the political reality that makes vetoing 2025 an easy decision. Everyone also understands the basketball reasons for vetoing 2025:

2024 NBA free agent rankings: Top players available next summer

Look at that list, and our superstar is already on the roster. And is there anyone to go with him? Not really…

So 2025 is a dumpster fire, it’s completely unattainable.

What about players under contract? Sure I guess, maybe Minny/KAT continue to boil over if they struggle in the playoffs. Though KAT’s a tweener, a PF who can’t defend in space and not a rim protector.

If Donovan Mitchell does leave, it’s more for NY now than ever before. But also, the Cavs are winning so there’s that.

In terms of stars leaving, or even wanting to leave. It goes back to the strange situation in Charlotte/Detroit. Both Cade Cunningham/LaMelo Ball have underwhelmed, neither of whom have proven to be players to consistently build around.

I’m pretty confident that one or both of these players are going to try and force their way out of their situations. And since LaMelo already signed his contract extension, I’d put my money on him.

With LaMelo though, much like Murray there’s things to accept. If we question Murray’s defensive impact, LaMelo’s is nonexistent. That was the case when scouting him during the draft, and it remains the case today.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/ballla01.html

Also, like Murray Ball’s a solid shooter but not the kind of elite shooter that will excite some people(though I’m at the point where solid shooting> Nonexistent shooting.)

And to a much lesser extent than his bro, but he’s fought injuries in his career already.

On the other hand, the pluses he would give would be interesting. If you can stomach the defense, LaMelo would totally unleash not just Maxey’s catch and shoot game, but his transition game. You could also maintain the two-man game, as LaMelo is a dynamic PNR player who is capable of making all of the passes.

It would be a seamless fit(offensively) in adding a 3rd option-level offensive talent, who can also fit long-term next to Maxey.

You probably need 3/d forwards at BOTH the SF/PF position in a Ball/Maxey back court. And of course Joel to still be Joel defensively.

And this is the best case scenario, so are you all in on a Lamelo? Because if not, I can’t see anyone else. In Cade’s case, you’d be hoping you can get his 6’8 frame to recommit defensively and he’s not quite the shooter that Ball is. Also, some TOV issues in Cade’s career so far.

The long and short of it is, there’s no ‘stars’ out there. Ja’s not leaving Memphis. OKC would be idiots to move SGA. The 2025 plan isn’t really a plan. That’s why upper management vetoed lower management.

by MaxeytoEmbiid