The 76ers still have work to do behind Joel Embiid, and one of the cleaner solutions on the board might also be one of the cheapest. With the non-taxpayer mid-level exception available, Philadelphia can chase a more established center this summer, but Kevon Looney stands out as a lower-cost alternative who still checks important boxes.
Looney is no stranger to winning. The veteran big man is a three-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors, and even though he only appeared in 21 games for New Orleans this past season, his rebounding remained a real calling card. Playing under 15 minutes per night while dealing with injuries for much of the year, he still pulled down nearly six boards a game.
That production matters because the 76ers need help on the glass, especially from their reserve bigs. Looney brings that, and he does more than just chase rebounds. He has long been a reliable screener, something he refined during his years with the Warriors, and he can make the simple passing reads that keep an offense moving after offensive rebounds or in dribble handoff actions.
There’s a fair argument that Looney wouldn’t represent a huge leap over Adem Bona or Johni Broome. But he would bring a steadier hand, and that matters too. He’s the kind of veteran who doesn’t wander into trouble and leave the defense scrambling.
Philadelphia could absolutely decide to spend more aggressively on a backup center, but that wouldn’t solve every need on the roster. The front office still has to manage depth across the board, and for a price that should stay modest, Looney makes sense as a name worth serious consideration.
In Other News...
76ers Suddenly Hold A Massive Edge From The Kawhi Trade
The ripple effects of the Kawhi Leonard return to Toronto could end up reaching well beyond the immediate headlines for Philadelphia. As the Clippers move into a rebuild, the 76ers suddenly find themselves sitting on a pair of future draft advantages that could matter a great deal if the roster around them starts to unravel.
Philadelphia also has the right to swap picks with Los Angeles in 2029, another piece of leverage that can become far more valuable if the Clippers reset takes time to stabilize. For a team always balancing todays urgency with tomorrows flexibility, that kind of draft position can quietly turn into one of the more important assets in the room. [Read more 🡒]
Mike Gansey May Already Be Closing A 76ers Need
The 76ers offseason frontcourt search has a familiar name attached to it, with reports indicating interest in free agent forward Dean Wade. Philadelphia has been looking for a versatile forward after recent roster changes, and Wade fits the kind of two-way profile teams tend to chase this time of year, with defense and perimeter shooting part of his appeal.
Mike Ganseys background only adds another layer here, since he already knows Wade from their Cleveland connection. For a Philadelphia team still sorting out its roster needs, that familiarity could matter as the 76ers weigh which pieces best fit the next version of the rotation. [Read more 🡒]
Sixers Free Agent Suddenly Drawing Serious Interest From Outside Philly
The Pacers head into free agency with a clear need to fortify the wing and add more help in the middle, and theyve already made a little room to maneuver by moving Kam Jones to Chicago. With the market set to open at 6:00 PM EST, Indiana is among the teams getting its board in order early, a routine part of the offseason that can quickly turn competitive once teams are allowed to start lining up agreements Tuesday evening.
Marc Stein and Jake Fischer report that Indiana has been doing work on a few wing options, with one veteran in particular standing out because of the blend of size, defense and scoring he could bring. For the Pacers, who are trying to squeeze more value out of every roster spot, the question now is whether that interest turns into something more concrete as free agency gets rolling. [Read more 🡒]