76ers' Daryl Morey Expects 'a Lot of Changes' in NBA Offseason Around Embiid, Maxey

Original source (on modern site) | Article images: [1] [2]

Elsa/Getty Images

After this year's disappointing first-round exit from the playoffs, it sounds like the Philadelphia 76ers are in for a roster overhaul this offseason.

Sixers president Daryl Morey told reporters on Monday that the plan for the summer is to build around star center Joel Embiid and rising point guard Tyrese Maxey.

"We're not going to have continuity," Morey said. "We'll have continuity with our stars and our head coach, but we're going to have a lot of changes this season."

Morey will have $65 million in cap space to operate with this summer. The Sixers are expected to have the No. 16 pick in the 2024 NBA draft. Also, a maximum contract extension for Maxey is on the agenda.

Philadelphia will be losing some key players, as Kelly Oubre Jr., Kyle Lowry and Nic Batum were playing the 2023-24 season on expiring contracts. However, there will be a potentially star-studded free-agent class filled with players who can help turn the Sixers into championship contenders.

Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam and Chicago Bulls guard DeMar DeRozan are familiar with Philadephia head coach Nick Nurse from their times together with the Toronto Raptors, and both of them will be free agents. If LeBron James and Paul George decline their respective player options with the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, they could also be available on the open market.

"You have to factor in the age," Morey said. "We feel like we're in the window where we have to win now. We're mostly focused on getting the best players that fit with Joel and Tyrese."

Embiid turned 30 in March and has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career, including this season in which he played just 39 games. Maxey will turn 24 in November, and he's eligible for a five-year, $205 million contract from the Sixers.

"This offseason is a big one," Morey said "I owe it to the fans, to ownership, to everybody, to get this team in a place where we're competing for championships. We obviously didn't achieve it this year."