The Philadelphia 76ers find themselves in a familiar yet frustrating situation this offseason. Despite making the playoffs for seven straight years, they can’t seem to advance past the first or second round. Adding another key player alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey is crucial.
Rumors about the 76ers wanting Paul George have been around for a while but seem less likely now. George has a huge $48.7 million player option next season, making it tough for Philly to get him.
The Philadelphia 76ers’ interest in pursuing Paul George has significantly waned in recent days, and the franchise is expected to be aggressive elsewhere with its salary cap flexibility and draft capital leading into next week’s NBA Draft, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 20, 2024
Alternative Options:
This is where someone like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope could be a better fit for Philly. He might not be as famous as George, but he played crucial roles in two championship teams over the last four years.
Caldwell-Pope was vital during the Lakers’ “Orlando bubble” title run in 2020 and also helped the Denver Nuggets last season. He isn’t a superstar but has shown he can push a team over obstacles when needed most.
Fans might think this move shows Philly’s smart strategy by focusing on reliable role players.
Tobias Harris has often been criticized for not performing well in big games. His scoring average dropped from 17.2 points per game during the regular season to just 9.0 in the playoffs when they lost to the Knicks in six games.
In contrast, Caldwell-Pope has been reliable during playoff runs with both the Lakers and Nuggets. He shot an impressive 41.5% from three-point range with Denver over two seasons. While he may not always be front and center, he knows how to seize opportunities when they come his way.
Pairing Caldwell-Pope with a healthy Embiid and Maxey could finally help these Sixers break through their playoff struggles.
What do you think? Will this new strategy work for Philly?
