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The Philadelphia 76ers are heading into the NBA offseason looking to add a piece or two around the core that they were able to put together last season. Unfortunately, keeping that core together is going to be a very difficult thing to do.
Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris are set to hit the open free agency market. They will be able to sign with whoever they want, although the 76ers can offer them an extra year and more money than other teams. The tough part about the situation is that Philadelphia could be looking at a horrific cap situation in the very near future.
It is not a done deal that the 76ers will be able to re-sign both Butler and Harris. They may not be able to get either one. Both players are going to receive major offers from quite a few different teams and will get to choose where they play the next chapter of their career.
Philadelphia will have another decision to make with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. They will need all of the decent role players on small contracts that they can find, which is exactly what they're going to get with this pick.
All of that being said, what three options do the 76ers have with their first-round selection this year?
3. Trade Down for More Assets
One potential option would be to trade down later in the first round or into the second round to acquire more assets. Philadelphia may need to look for role players in the second round to fill out their roster if they end up spending huge money in free agency on Butler and Harris. Trading down isn't the “sexy” option, but it might be very effective.
2. Select LSU Big Man Naz Reid
Another big need for the 76ers this offseason will be finding more depth behind Joel Embiid. While he is one of the best big men in the entire league, the problem that he has is staying on the court. There have been many missed games due to injury and his body appears to be breaking down on him at times.
Naz Reid may not be a superstar, but he could easily step in and log minutes behind Embiid. He averaged 13.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks per game last season at LSU. He stands at 6-foot-10 and 240 pounds. The 76ers would be getting a very good backup by taking him at No. 24.
1. Take Brandon Clarke with the Pick
Finally, Brandon Clarke would be an ideal fit for the 76ers if he falls to No. 24. He is the type of forward that score, rebound, and defend at a high level. Reid is a quality player, but Clarke is the better all-around player and he is certainly capable of playing immediately.
Last season at Gonzaga, Clarke averaged 16.9 points per game to go along with 8.6 rebounds, 3.2 blocks, and 1.9 assists. He has the talent to become a good two-way forward and that's what the 76ers need. If he is available at No. 24, the Sixers shouldn't even think twice about picking him.