Darryl Morey and the 76ers went to work this offseason after getting trounced in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. They were able to re-sign James Harden for less money than he wanted, while also adding valuable role players like P.J. Tucker from the rival Miami Heat and Danuel House Jr. in free agency.
Now that Harden is officially back with the team, ESPN's Brian Windhorst declares the Sixers the winner of the offseason.
"Because of the contract that Harden signed and the maneuvers they made, they were able to add three significant pieces to their roster" Windhorst said during a recent episode of his podcast Brian Windhorst and The Hoop Collective. "PJ Tucker, De’Anthony Melton, Danuel House without subtracting any. Danny Green was traded, but he was going to be out for it the whole season or pretty close to it. So again, you look at the sort of the same thing. They have their stars back and they’re adding to it and that’s why you you feel good about them stepping forward."
Tucker and House are expected to provide some much-needed offense and defense coming off the bench but Tucker is not getting younger, turning 37 this past May.
While the Sixers look formidable on paper, they will have a lot of competition in the Eastern Conference between the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets and the Heat. However, Joel Embiid being in the prime of his career will always keep the team in the mix as legitimate contenders in the East.
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