The Philadelphia 76ers are at a crossroads this offseason. Should they stick with the Joel Embiid-James Harden duo or let Harden walk, reset and look for another star after the upcoming season?
Beyond that decision, Sixers President Daryl Morey also will have his hands full trying to figure out whether or not to bring back five other players who are due for raises after helping lead the team to within a game of the Eastern Conference Finals this past season.
Here’s a look at which Sixers players will become available once free agency kicks off on Friday, June 30:
James Harden
Technically Harden isn’t a free agent yet — he has until Thursday to decide if he’ll pick up his $35.6-million player option for next season. However, most around the league expect the 33-year-old guard to decline that option and pursue a long-term deal.
Since December, rumors have circulated that Harden could return to Houston, where he put the Rockets in contention and earned the 2017-18 MVP before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets during the 2020-21 season.
The Rockets have the advantage of being able to offer Harden a five-year max contract, while the Sixers are only allowed to offer four under league rules.
The question is, which team is willing to offer the most for the aging-star with well-known playoff letdowns?
Despite his shortcomings, it would be a tough pill to swallow for the Sixers if they let Harden walk for nothing after acquiring him for Ben Simmons and other pieces in 2022. The team would be unable to sign another player to a max contract since they are already above the luxury tax level.
In 58 games last year, Harden average 21 points and led the league in assists with 10.7 per game.
Paul Reed
The good news: The Sixers finally found a reliable backup center behind Embiid after years of searching. The bad news: That player is at risk of being poached by another team.
Reed began the season buried on the bench despite a successful playoff run the previous season but finally started getting expanded minutes after cutting down on mental miscues.
One of the Sixers most athletic and versatile defenders started to form a rapport with Harden after showing more confidence in his offensive game. The former Delaware Blue Coat and G-League MVP averaged a little over 4 points and close to 4 boards in 69 games last season.
Reed will be a restricted free agent, meaning the Sixers can match any offer a team might offer the 24-year-old center. He’ll be due a significant raise after earning $1.3 million last year.
Georges Niang
The “Minivan,” affectionately known by fans, had another stellar shooting season while helping the Sixers become one of the top three-point shooting teams in the league.
Originally signed away from the Utah Jazz following the 2020-2021 season, Niang has shot over 40 percent from three for five straight seasons while playing 76 and 78 games the last two season in Philly.
Not known for his defense, Niang excelled against more athletic forwards during the Sixers’ recent playoff run while shooting 50 percent from the field and 46 percent from deep.
The 6-7 forward averaged 8.2 points and 2.4 rebounds while providing much-needed floor spacing for the Sixers last season. He’ll likely have interest from around the league and could prove difficult to resign after earning $3.4 million last season.
Jalen McDaniels
Acquired in a three-team deal during last season’s trade deadline for Matisse Thybulle and a second round pick, McDaniels was brought in to provide some much needed athleticism at the wing as the Sixers geared up for a playoff run.
Unfortunately, after a few positive showings in the regular season, his minutes dwindled in the playoffs due to inconsistent play and constant foul trouble.
In 80 games for the Sixers and Charlotte Hornets, McDaniels averaged 9.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists.
Seen as a versatile forward at 6-9, McDaniels could attract attention from other clubs and make him too pricey for the Sixers to retain after earning $1.9 million last year.
Shake Milton
Milton’s up and down tenure with the Sixers likely will come to a close this offseason.
Drafted in 2018, the combo guard has provided some huge games (That 39-point outburst against the Los Angeles Clippers in 2020) and a collection of uneven performances as a Sixer.
Shake played a large part in keeping the Sixers afloat while serving as a lead guard midway through the season when injuries decimated the team. However, he struggled offensively when his minutes were cut and fell out of coach Doc Rivers’ playoff rotation.
In 76 games this season, Milton averaged 8.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists while earning just over $2 million.
With few minutes behind starters Tyrese Maxey, Harden (if he returns) and bench-ace De’Anthony Melton, Milton likely will look to find an expanded role with another team.
Montrezl Harrell
Signed just before the beginning of last season, Harrell was brought in to provide offensive off the bench and a lob threat for Harden. That didn’t happen, as the 6-7 forward struggled to finish at the rim and was a liability on defense.
While serving as Embiid’s primary backup for the first half of the year, Harrell averaged 5.6 points and 2.8 rebounds before barely seeing the floor by season’s end.
Harrell signed a two-year, $5.2 million deal with a player option last September. Despite his struggles, Harrell recently declined a $2.7 million player option and elected to become a free agent.
He could stand to earn slightly more on a new deal, presumably with another club, since the veteran minimum now stands at $2.9 million under a new collective bargaining agreement.
A reunion with the Sixers is unlikely.
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