PHILADELPHIA — The 76ers' "Scenario A," as president of basketball operations Daryl Morey termed it last month, is re-signing James Harden (presumably after he declines his $35.6 million player option for next season). Not just because the former MVP is still a 20-and-10 player who led the NBA in assists last season. But because if Harden walks, the money that the Sixers can only use to bring him back disappears with him.
So what is "Scenario B" in the event Harden leaves to return to the Houston Rockets, which Morey acknowledged would require the Sixers to get more creative with their roster-building once free agency opens Friday night? Because the point-guard transaction carousel is already spinning, after future Hall of Famer Chris Paul was traded last week from the Phoenix Suns to the Washington Wizards and then to the Golden State Warriors. Marcus Smart and Tyus Jones also switched teams as part of the Kristaps Porzingis three-way deal between the Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzlies, and Wizards.
The Sixers, meanwhile, could rely on Tyrese Maxey (and, to a lesser extent, De'Anthony Melton) to handle the ball more, banking on Maxey's development as an offense-initiator and playmaker since he last held that role to start 2021-22 before Harden arrived at the trade deadline. That approach would turn their point-guard need into a complementary player who could start or come off the bench. Or, they could attempt to create the cap space required to lure a bigger name to directly replace Harden.
Here are some options — which, let's just get this out of the way, do not include Kyrie Irving.
(All stats and salaries are based on the 2022-23 NBA season.)
Fred VanVleet
— Stats: 19.3 points, 7.1 assists (career high), 4.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals per game; 39.3/34.2/89.8 shooting splits
— Salary: $21.3 million
VanVleet declined his $22.8 million player option to return to the Toronto Raptors for the 2023-24 season, making him one of the more coveted targets during this free-agency period. He has obvious familiarity with new Sixers coach Nick Nurse, who helped VanVleet morph from an undrafted player to a 2019 NBA champion and 2022 All-Star who plays both ends of the floor. Yet, landing VanVleet would take some maneuvering with the Sixers' current payroll, with the cleanest path being a sign-and-trade that would send Tobias Harris to Toronto. That, of course, would require the Raptors to want Harris, and to be willing to play ball on such a deal.
D'Angelo Russell
— Stats: 17.8 points, 6.2 assists, 3.0 rebounds per game; 46.9/39.6/82.9 shooting splits
— Salary: $31.4 million
Russell split 2022-23 with the Timberwolves and Lakers, and could garner offers in the $20 million range this offseason. Though he is a former All-Star and shotmaker, his shot selection and defensive woes are concerning. That, plus the cost, do not seem to make him an incredibly viable option for the Sixers.
Gabe Vincent
— Stats: 9.4 points, 2.5 assists, 2.1 rebounds per game; 40.2/33.4/87.2 shooting splits
— Salary: $1.8 million
Another major Heat Culture success story is now in line for a significant raise. The former G Leaguer blossomed into the starting lead guard for a Miami team that made a stunning NBA Finals run, thanks to his blend of shot-making and toughness on both ends of the floor. He could garner an annual salary between the $5 million taxpayer mid-level exception and the $12.4 non-taxpayer mid-level exception, per ESPN's Bobby Marks.
Dennis Schröder
— Stats: 12.6 points, 4.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds per game; 41.5/32.9/85.7 shooting splits
— Salary: $2.6 million
Schröder once severely overvalued himself in free agency, but he is in line for a bump from his minimum salary last season. He is an aggressive player on both ends of the floor and became a key contributor for a Los Angeles Lakers team that surged into a Western Conference finals run. Marks also projects his salary in the range between $5 million and $12.4 million.
Patrick Beverley
— Stats: 6.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists per game; 40/33.5/72.3 shooting splits
— Salary: $13.8 million
Following a clunky stint with the Lakers, Beverley found his groove when he signed with his hometown Chicago Bulls. He is a defensive irritant, and perhaps most embodies the cliché of a player one loves to have on his team but can't stand as an opponent. He also has history with Morey, playing for the Houston Rockets from 2012-17. Marks also projects his salary in the range between $5 million and $12.4 million.
Dennis Smith Jr.
— Stats: 8.8 points, 4.8 assists, 3.1 rebounds per game; 41.2/21.6/73.6 shooting splits
— Salary: $2.1 million
The former lottery draft pick and electric speedster was one of the few bright spots for the 2022-23 Charlotte Hornets, enjoying a resurgent season. A knock: He is not an outside shooting threat. Marks also projects his salary in the range between $5 million and $12.4 million.
Reggie Jackson
— Stats: 10.2 points, 3.4 assists, 2.1 rebounds per game; 41.1/33.3/91 shooting splits
— Salary: $11.2 million
Jackson had some impressive instant-offense moments with the Clippers, particularly when Kawhi Leonard was injured during their 2021 run to the Western Conference finals. The veteran joined the Denver Nuggets off the buyout market after being traded to the Hornets at the deadline, but fell out of the rotation for the eventual NBA champions. Marks expects him to be offered between $2.5 million and the $5 million taxpayer mid-level exception.
Derrick Rose
— Last season's stats: 5.6 points, 1.7 assists, 1.5 rebounds per game; 38.4/30.2/91.7 shooting splits
— Last season's salary: $14.5 million
The Knicks declined their $15.6 million team option for Rose for 2023-24, putting him on the open market this summer. Injuries, of course, have decimated Rose's once-sensational career trajectory, but he was a capable scoring and distributing backup until falling out of New York's rotation this past season. Marks also projects his annual salary in the range between $2.5 million and $5 million.
Russell Westbrook
— Stats: 15.9 points, 7.5 assists, 5.8 rebounds per game; 43.6/31.1/65.6 shooting splits
— Salary: $47 million
Following a disastrous Lakers tenure, Westbrook was much more effective after joining the Clippers off the buyout market. The former MVP still plays with a relentless motor and has triple-double capabilities, but his inefficiency as a shooter can be a rough watch. He certainly will not command his hefty recent salaries this offseason, with Marks also projecting he will land in the range between $5 million and $12.4 million.
