At the start of the NBA offseason, the Philadelphia 76ers had a thin roster due to expiring contracts, with Joel Embiid being one of the few players still under contract. Despite re-signing Tyrese Maxey and adding several important free agents to strengthen their championship prospects in the Eastern Conference, the Sixers still have a couple of roster spots to fill. Marcus Morris Sr. and Davis Bertans could be potential candidates to complete their roster as free agency progresses.
Currently, the 76ers have 13 players under contract. Among them, Ricky Council IV is the only player with a non-guaranteed deal for the 2024-25 season, which will become fully guaranteed in January. This situation leaves two available spots that Morris and Bertans might fill.
The team could benefit from added depth at the power forward position, making both Morris and Bertans appealing options. Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the 76ers have shown interest in them.
After being waived by the Charlotte Hornets, Bertans has not attracted significant interest from other teams. However, his career 39.6 percent shooting from three-point range makes him a valuable asset for a playoff-bound team. If he joins the 76ers, Bertans would serve as a perimeter shooting specialist.
Morris, with his more comprehensive offensive skills, is considered a stronger candidate than Bertans. A seasoned player with 13 years of experience, Morris was with the Sixers during the 2023-24 season before ending the year with the Cleveland Cavaliers. According to Pompey, Morris has drawn interest from multiple teams, including the 76ers, Cavs, Hornets, Detroit Pistons, Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans, and Minnesota Timberwolves. The Dallas Mavericks also showed interest before finalizing their roster.
Regardless of which players the 76ers target to complete their roster before training camp, they can only offer minimum contracts due to their summer signings.
The 76ers’ front office, led by Daryl Morey, has been proactive in reshaping the roster to compete for a championship. With the Boston Celtics remaining a dominant force in the conference, the 76ers made a significant move by signing nine-time All-Star and six-time All-NBA player Paul George. Alongside Maxey and Embiid, George provides the additional All-Star talent and scoring reliability that the team has been missing. His presence is expected to alleviate some of the pressure on Embiid, and George has expressed his willingness to support Embiid and Maxey, even if it means taking a secondary role.
