The 76ers expect Drummond, Gordon and Oubre Jr. to return next season
The Philadelphia 76ers are counting on veterans Andre Drummond, Eric Gordon, and Kelly Oubre Jr. to stick around next season. Team president Daryl Morey recently hinted that all three players will likely exercise their player options to stay in Philly.
This would be a big win for the Sixers, who are looking to maintain some roster stability heading into next year.
Drummond proved to be a solid backup center this season, putting up 7.3 points and 7.8 rebounds in just under 19 minutes per game. He also shot a career-best 62.2% from the free throw line – a huge improvement for a player who’s struggled at the line throughout his career.
The 31-year-old big man is looking at a $5 million option for next season, the second year of the two-year, $10 million deal he signed last July.
Gordon, now 36, showed he can still knock down shots when called upon. The veteran guard averaged 6.8 points in about 20 minutes per game, connecting on an impressive 40.9% of his three-pointers.
His player option is worth $3.46 million.
Oubre Jr. was perhaps the most impactful of the three, averaging 15.1 points and 6.1 rebounds while setting career highs in assists (1.8), steals (1.5), and minutes (34.6).
The 29-year-old wing has an $8.38 million option for next season after signing a two-year, $16.3 million contract last summer.
All three players have until June 29 to make their decisions official.
Just because the Sixers expect these players to opt in doesn’t mean they’ll all be wearing Philadelphia uniforms when the season tips off. Any of them could become valuable trade pieces after exercising their options.
Sixers also targeting Grimes and Yabusele
Beyond their current veterans, the 76ers are focused on bringing back two other key pieces.
The team remains confident they’ll re-sign breakout shooting guard Quentin Grimes. The fourth-year guard enters free agency with limited options, as NBA insider Marc Stein reports that “Brooklyn is likely to be the only team flush with cash to spend” that might pursue him.
Philadelphia is also hoping to keep forward Guerschon Yabusele, who impressed after joining the team on a veteran-minimum deal. The Sixers actually made several cost-cutting moves at the trade deadline specifically to create financial flexibility to retain the French national team standout.
If Drummond, Gordon, and Oubre Jr. all pick up their options as expected, the Sixers would have approximately $166 million in guaranteed money on their books for next season.
That doesn’t include whatever new deals they’ll need to offer Grimes and Yabusele. With next season’s luxury tax line projected at $187.9 million, the front office will need to get creative to keep the roster intact without facing hefty tax penalties.
