The evolution of the Philadelphia 76ers franchise during this decade has truly been something to behold. In just a short span of a few years, the Sixers went from the laughingstock of the NBA to one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. As for general manager Elton Brand, he believes there is more in store.
Brand–who also spent five seasons with Philly during his playing career–told reporters that he feels the Sixers should be able to compete for a championship:
Elton Brand: ‘I feel we have a championship-caliber roster, for sure.’ #Sixers pic.twitter.com/ZieFY4FeUp
— Tom Moore (@TomMoorePhilly) October 5, 2019
The Sixers were one of the most active teams in the East this summer. Although they were eventually resigned to the fact that they could not sign Jimmy Butler, a sign-and-trade with the Miami Heat brought talented wing Josh Richardson to Philly.
Additionally, the Sixers secured their core by signing both Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons to long-term deals, which should ensure that their competitive window lasts well into the future.
The final piece of the puzzle could be former Boston Celtics center Al Horford, who signed a four-year, $109 million deal (vested option) to pair with Joel Embiid in the frontcourt. Horford has some of the best court vision in the game for a big, and he can operate the offense from the perimeter.
Will the Sixers have enough shooting? That is a persistent question that has followed them over the course of the past two years, and they just lost J.J. Redick in free agency.
However, Simmons has worked tirelessly on improving his jumper, and the Sixers now have a pair of bigs–in Embiid and Horford–that can stretch the floor.
Barring injury, Philadelphia should most certainly be among the elite teams in the East.
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