Coming into the 2022 NBA offseason, the pressure was on for the Philadelphia 76ers. An embarrassing playoff loss and uncertainty regarding James Harden's ability to play at a high level put them on the brink of red alert. With a lot of areas of the team needing to be addressed, Daryl Morey and the front office did just that.
With the offseason approaching its dog days, it's clear that the Sixers took care of business. James Harden has a new contract that works best for all parties involved and Philadelphia added some much-needed role players to help him and Joel Embiid compete for a title.
Philadelphia has the same core as last year's team but with a stronger supporting cast and more time to build chemistry. Here are the Sixers' offseason grades for 2022.
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Full 2022 NBA offseason grades for Sixers
Draft: B+
The Sixers traded their only draft pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, a move that we will dive into and give a grade for in the next section.
The grade for this section does not reflect the trade itself but rather the fact that the Sixers chose to trade for someone rather than try to rely on a rookie. Philly needs depth and trying to find the right rookie to do so does not always work. Sometimes you get a Tyrese Maxey, who shows readiness right away, but sometimes you get a Jaden Springer, who needs more time.
In the market for undrafted free agents, the Sixers added Michael Foster Jr., Julian Champagnie and Aminu Mohamed. Champagnie got a two-way deal while Mohamed and Foster each got Exhibit 10 deals.
Since the Sixers made one key move on draft night and didn't have any draft selections, their grade shows that they made a smart move while still adding some young players. Even though none of the three players they signed are likely to amount to anything, it was wise to get as many youngsters as possible.
Trade: A
The Sixers swung a big trade on draft night by acquiring De'Anthony Melton from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Danny Green and the 23rd overall pick.
Simply put, this trade rules for the Sixers. Melton is a very talented player that is only 24 years old and under contract for two more seasons. He is a tough defender, solid 3-point shooter and overall smart player on both ends of the court.
Green, who suffered a torn ACL in the last game of the season, needed to be used in a trade to upgrade the team. His salary fit the bill for several other solid role players around the league. The Sixers found just about the perfect player to get. Sacrificing the 23rd overall pick was well worth it.
Melton is a top-five player on the team and is still pretty young. For only the price of a first-round pick and salary filler, this trade was terrific.
Free agency: B
Daryl Morey showed off his Houston Rockets pride in free agency by adding P.J. Tucker and Danuel House, who played under him in Houston, and Trevelin Queen, who played with Houston last season. Of course, he also re-signed the guy who carried those Rockets teams to a new deal.
In terms of money, the Sixers shelled out. Harden will get $33 million this season and have a player option for $35.6 million next season. Tucker will make $33 million over three years, starting with just over $10 million this season. House will make $4 million in each of the next two seasons.
The contracts they signed may be a little too overpriced — even Harden's deal, as he did not play $33 million basketball last season — but not so much that they will derail the team. Tucker's contract may be a little too hefty by the end of it, though such is the price to pay for a premium name on the open market. Adding a hard-nosed veteran who hardly misses corner triples was worth it. To make it even better, it weakens the Miami Heat's rotation.
Harden's deal allowed the Sixers to sign Tucker and House. The massive pay cut he took is drawing suspicion from around the league, though the incentives of doing so are pretty clear. Harden puts himself in prove-it mode so that he can potentially secure a longer deal next offseason and adds some players that will help the team win and that he has familiarity with.
The only real rotation player Philly lost is DeAndre Jordan, which is more of an addition-by-subtraction type of move. The Sixers also haven't re-signed Paul Millsap, who remains a free agent. Neither veteran big man is needed.
Overall: B+
The Sixers had themselves a great offseason. Although they could still make a few other moves, the Sixers are coming into the 2022-23 season with an improved roster.
Philadelphia still has a lot to prove this season. Harden will have to avenge his putrid performance from last season. Embiid will have to put together another MVP-caliber campaign. Tobias Harris and Matisse Thybulle will have to step up their levels of play. Tyrese Maxey may have to be the team's second scoring option, so another leap from him will be important.
Even with a lot to prove, Philly set itself up to be better than last season's team. The Sixers' offseason grades reflect that potential improvement and how the team is positioned to be incrementally better for the next few years if they decide to keep this core together.
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