Former Sixers Have Full Circle Moments in Free Agency

On Friday night, the NBA opened the free agency floodgates. To no surprise, players were flying off the market as teams took advantage of the major offseason period.

The Philadelphia 76ers didn’t make any additions through the first wave of free agency. As they focus on resolving the James Harden saga following his decision to pick up his player option on Thursday, the Sixers know a crucial change could soon come through the trade market.

Meanwhile, two players from last year’s roster inked deals with new squads. The veteran forward Georges Niang was the first to go off the board as he inked a three-year deal with an Eastern Conference playoff contender in the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Not long after Niang found a new home, the veteran guard Shake Milton inked a deal with a Western Conference squad, joining the Minnesota Timberwolves on a two-year deal.

Several other former Sixers found new homes as well, having full-circle moments. 

Back in 2019, the Sixers struck a free agency trade with the Miami Heat, landing the veteran guard Josh Richardson. At the time, the deal was a blockbuster, considering it involved former Sixers standout, Jimmy Butler.

Richardson’s time with the Sixers was short-lived. In 55 games, he averaged 14 points, three rebounds, and three assists. After his lone season with the Sixers, Richardson was dealt in a draft night trade to the Dallas Mavericks. In that trade, the Sixers landed the veteran sharpshooter Seth Curry.

After having runs with several teams, including the Mavericks, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, and New Orleans Pelicans, Richardson is headed back to South Beach. On Friday night, the veteran signed a two-year contract with a player option attached for next season, according to the Miami Herald.

While Curry’s time with the 76ers lasted longer than Richardson’s, the veteran guard also found himself traded in a blockbuster deal. 45 games into his second season with the Sixers, Curry was dealt in the midseason blockbuster that landed the Sixers James Harden just two years after landing in Philadelphia via Dallas.

While Curry spent the last two seasons playing for the Brooklyn Nets, he’ll head back to Dallas for a third stint. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Curry also signed a two-year deal with his former team.