The Philadelphia 76ers have a lot of cap room to upgrade their roster this offseason. It’s a product of having so many of their players' contracts expire. But just because so many of them have the chance to leave doesn’t mean the team shouldn’t try to retain some of them.

The Sixers have ten players entering unrestricted free agency. Some, like Tobias Harris, seem more likely to head elsewhere than stick around. But it would behoove Philly to re-sign a number of their players. Keeping some continuity going into the 2024-25 season, even if it’s for players who aren’t starters, would be helpful.

Like the other 29 NBA squads, the Sixers will have to navigate the atmosphere of the new collective bargaining agreement. According to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, the team has three pending free agents that it would like to keep around.

Pompey writes the following: “Based on those constraints, a source said Nico Batum, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Kyle Lowry are the free agents the team most likely would like to re-sign. Not only do they mesh well with All-Stars [Tyrese] Maxey and Joel Embiid, they might not command a lot of money in the free-agent market.”

76ers' most likely to re-sign Kyle Lowry Nico Batum, Kelly Oubre Jr.

Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) and guard Kyle Lowry (7) walk together during a timeout in the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Wells Fargo Center.
© Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The 76ers are hoping to land a big-time star this offseason. LeBron James, Paul George and Jimmy Butler have been linked to them. Whoever they get will take up most of their cap space, so using minimum contracts (which don’t count toward the salary cap) and other exceptions will be key.

Since the Sixers are gunning for such a big name, they won’t have as much space to build the rest of the roster out. Role players like Buddy Hield and De'Anthony Melton (injury issues notwithstanding) are probably going to get small-to-medium-sized deals that Philly can’t fit into its cap sheet after bringing in another max-contract player. The same could be said for Harris, though his frustrating stint in Philly and the team's desire to upgrade on the wing suggest he’s not coming back.

The 76ers will have a room mid-level exception worth a smidge over $8 million and, depending on which star they land, only a few million in cap space to add more players. Targeting older yet talented players like Batum and Lowry and players who may not have big markets like Oubre makes the most sense.

Pompey wrote that the Sixers “feel like they will be able to work something out” with Batum. It’s highly possible that the veteran, French forward will retire from basketball after this summer’s Paris Olympics, where he will try one last time to win the gold for his country. But if he does decide to stay in the NBA, his defense, three-point shooting and intellect would once again be huge for Philly.

Oubre spoke very highly of the 76ers throughout the season after signing a minimum deal the week before training camp. His athleticism was super valuable on both sides of the ball. Even though his value on offense waned heavily due to his uncertain perimeter shooting, he’s worth keeping as a bench player and emergency starter.

Lowry, a Philadelphia native who said it was “a dream come true” to play for the Sixers, signed with the team during the season after being traded and bought out. Even at age 38, he could help Philly out with his unrelenting competitiveness, shooting and playmaking. But after being a starter for them last season, he’s best suited to be a bench player given the mileage on his body.