Philadelphia 76ers 2020 Offseason Analysis

By: Layth Dahman

The Philadelphia 76ers traded more talented players in exchange for pieces that will fit better with their main core of Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, and Joel Embiid.

Their first move of the offseason was trading Al Horford, the 34th pick, a 2025 lightly protected pick, and the rights to Vasilije Micic to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Danny Green and Terrance Ferguson. This move gives the Philadelphia 76ers some cap flexibility. Horford still had 3 years left on his deal worth $81 million with the last year of the contract being partially guaranteed. In the 2022 season, the contract will have a $14.5 million guarantee and if the 76ers make the finals in 2021 or 2022 it will have a $19.5 million guarantee in the final year of the contract. If the 76ers win the finals it will be a fully guaranteed contract worth $26.5 million in its final year. They get cap relief by trading for Green's expiring contract rather than having Horford for three more years.

Horford didn't fit with the 76ers and was unplayable with Joel Embiid. In the regular season, Horford averaged 11.9 points per game, 4 assists per game, and 6.8 rebounds per game. He was inefficient as a center, shooting 45 percent from the field and 35 percent from three. He didn't space the floor as much the 76ers needed him to and the paint got clogged up with Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Al Horford playing inside the paint more than the perimeter. In the playoffs, Horford became more of a liability, averaging 7 points per game, 2.3 assists per game, and 7.3 rebounds per game. He was even more inefficient in the playoffs shooting 48 percent from the field and 0 percent from three. Horford who is known for his defensive versatility was also a liability on the defensive end. He had a defensive rating of 121.6. He was allowing opponents to score 121.6 points per 100 possessions. The 76ers were allowing 4.4 extra points per 100 possessions when Horford was on the court. Horford's inability to produce offense and defense at a productive rate in the playoffs caused him to have a negative impact on the Sixers. He had a net rating of -18.2 which is 14.9 lower than his regular-season net rating.

The addition of Danny Green gives the 76ers a three and D player. Green can play defense at a high level and can knock down threes. This season Green had a three-point percentage of 36.7 on 4.8 three-pointers attempted per game in the regular season and 33.9 percent on 5.5 three-pointers attempted per game in the playoffs. He isn't the three-point shooter that he used to be, but just attempting threes will space the floor more for Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid giving them more room to operate inside and play to their strengths. The 76ers ranked 22nd in three-pointers attempted in the regular season and ranked 16th in the playoffs. In the regular season, they attempted 31.6 three-pointers per game. In the playoffs, they attempted the fewest three-pointers per game. They attempted 30.3 three-pointers per game.

Green can still play defense at a productive level. In the regular season, Green had a defensive rating of 106, and in the playoffs he had a defensive rating of 105. In the playoffs, the Lakers were a better defensive team when Green was getting minutes. They allowed 2.7 fewer points per 100 possessions when Green was on the floor. Green is a lengthy defender. He has the defensive lateral quickness and strength which makes it hard for opponents to get to the rim. He is also able to get into passing lanes and get steals. He averaged 1.3 steals per game in the regular season which ranked 30th and 1 steal per game in the playoffs which ranked 36th. Green also had 2.7 deflections per game in the regular season which ranks 30th and 2 deflections per game in the postseason which ranks 25th.

The Philadelphia 76ers traded Josh Richardson and the 36th pick to the Dallas Mavericks for Seth Curry. This trade finally gives the 76ers an elite three-point shooter, something they have coveted since losing JJ Redick in the 2019 offseason. He is a player who can knock down threes at a high and efficient level. In the regular season, he shot 45.2 percent from three which ranked 3rd, and in the post-season he shot 47.6 percent from three which ranked 10th. He will provide a lot of value by running along the three-point line and getting to his spots for a high percentage three-point shot. His constant movement on the offensive end along the three-point line is exhausting for teams to keep up with. It will be harder for teams to double team Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, and Joel Embiid which would allow for an open three-point shot from Curry, one of the most efficient shots for the 76ers. The 76ers can use the hand-off pass with Curry and Embiid. Embiid would hand off the ball to Curry and set a screen so Curry has an open high percentage three-point look. Curry is a very dynamic shooter and can shoot off the dribble and in catch and shoot scenarios. In catch and shooting scenarios during the regular season, Curry shot 53.8 percent on twos and 48.1 percent on threes. Off 0 dribbles during the regular season, Curry shot 69.2 percent on twos and 47.9 percent from three. Off the dribble in the regular season, Curry shot 54 percent on twos and 32 percent from three. In the playoffs he shot 54.5 percent on threes in catch and shoot scenarios. Off the dribble in the playoffs Curry shot 67.6 percent on twos and 44.4 percent on threes.

With Curry`s floor spacing, Embiid and Simmons can now play to their strengths and operate inside, making them even more dominant players. The Embiid and Simmons duo was at their best when they were surrounded by three-point shooters. This move by the 76ers will allow the Simmons and Embiid duo to play to their maximum potential. Also, Curry has a bargain contract of about $8 million per year for the next 3 years. The 76ers don't have to worry about paying Curry a large amount for the next three years. This offseason the premium was on shooting and the three-point shooters were getting large contracts. The only pathway for the 76ers to improve their three-point shooting was through trade since they are above the salary cap. It would have been hard for them to address three-point shooting through free agency.

The 76ers signed Dwight Howard to a 1-year minimum contract worth $2.5 million. He is the ideal back-up center for Joel Embiid. He gives the 76ers an inside presence. He sets strong screens, scores inside, grabs rebounds, rim protect, and plays with physicality. Last season in 19 minutes per game Howard averaged 7.5 points per game and 7.3 rebounds per game. He shot efficiently with a field goal percentage of 72.9 percent. Howard still has a defensive impact at the age of 35. He plays with physicality and forces opponents to take tough shots. He frustrates opponents and gets them into foul trouble. He is able to protect the rim. Last season he had 1.1 blocks per game during the regular season. This move allows the 76ers to rest Embiid when they need to. He is a good fit next to Simmons and they will be able to run the pick and roll. Simmons will be able to get Howard easy looks inside the paint off lobs out of the pick and roll.