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Philadelphia 76ers: 6-Time All-Star Mentioned as Top LeBron James Alternative Target in 2024 NBA Free Agency

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Rex Villas | Last updated 5/24/24

Coming off an early exit (again) from the NBA Playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers are back to planning for the future . They have Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey as the lead two-man score.

Another star could push the Sixers over the postseason hump, and that could be one Philadelphia will look to go after in the summer. That could become likelier if the Sixers let Tobias Harris walk into free agency. Given how he performed in the playoffs versus the New York Knicks, Harris is already as good as gone in the eyes of many Sixers fans.

Philadelphia 76ers as a Landing Spot for DeMar DeRozan?

Enter DeMar DeRozan, who’s already past his prime but can still bring a lot to the table. Even though he is turning 35 in August, DeRozan could be a solid third option for the Sixers. Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports mentioned DeRozan’s name in his recent column, saying that there’s already an established connection for DeRozan in Philly with his former Toronto Raptors head coach, Nick Nurse, now the sideline boss of the Sixers. However, Fischer also questioned the potential fit of DeRozan in Philly.

DeMar DeRozan will be unrestricted as well and has a relationship with Sixers head coach Nick Nurse from shared days in Toronto. Yet DeRozan has voiced his desire to return to Chicago and is less of an ideal third piece for Philly with his lack of outside shooting and affinity for a similar midrange space that Embiid occupies. If anything, how high a number DeRozan can draw from the Bulls will prove useful context for other free agents around the league, including George, and Harden’s own negotiations with the Clippers.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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