In the 23rd of 30 NBA previews prior to the start of the season, we will take a look at the Philadelphia 76ers. In this preview, we will discuss Philadelphia’s key acquisitions, fantasy stars and predicted finish.
Key Acquisitions
The most significant acquisition for the 76ers in the offseason was the signing of power forward P.J. Tucker of Raleigh, North Carolina to a three-year deal worth $33.2 million on July 6. At 36 years old, Tucker is joining his sixth NBA team following the Toronto Raptors, Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat.
Tucker averaged 7.6 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, and 2.1 assists per game with the Heat in 2021-22. He also had a field goal percentage of .484, three point percentage of .415, and free throw percentage of .738. Tucker’s .415 three point percentage was a career-high, as he made 80 of 193 attempts from downtown. The accuracy from long range is rare for power forwards, and at first glance that contributed to Tucker’s monster contract in Philly.
Tucker was also part of the Bucks team that won the 2021 NBA Finals. He played in all 23 postseason games for the Bucks in 2021, and averaged 4.8 rebounds per game, and 4.3 points per game. Tucker’s time on the court was valuable as he helped keep Giannis Antetokounmpo fresh. With the 76ers, Tucker is projected to be the starting power forward to start the season.
The 76ers also signed three players on their bench for the 2022-23 season. They were center Montrezl Harrell of Tarboro, North Carolina, point guard De’Anthony Melton of North Hollywood, California, and small forward Danuel House Jr. of Houston, Texas.
Harrell played last season with the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets. In 71 games in 2021-22, he averaged 13.1 points per game, 6.1 rebounds per game, two assists per game, a field goal percentage of .645, three point percentage of .235, and a free throw percentage of .716. Harrell signed a two-year deal worth $5.2 million.
Melton was traded from the Memphis Grizzlies to the 76ers during the 2022 NBA Draft on June 23 for Danny Green and the 76ers’s first round pick, who they selected small forward David Roddy of Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 73 games in 2021-22, Melton averaged 10.8 points per game, 4.5 rebounds per game, 2.7 assists per game, a field goal percentage of .404, a three-point percentage of .374, and a free throw percentage of .750.
House Jr. played last season for the Houston Rockets, New York Knicks and Utah Jazz. He averaged 5.9 points per game, 2.6 rebounds per game and one assist per game. House Jr. also had a field goal percentage of .404, three-point percentage of .376, and free throw percentage of .759. House Jr. signed a two-year deal worth $8.5 million.
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Fantasy Stars
The 76ers have two fantasy stars ranked in the top 10 in multiple positions. Joel Embiid of Yaounde, Cameroon is ranked second among power forwards and centers, while James Harden of Los Angeles, California is second among shooting guards and fourth among point guards.
At power forward, Embiid is only behind Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets, and at center, Embiid is only behind Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets. At shooting guard, Harden is only behind Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks.
Embiid averaged 30.6 points per game last year, and led the NBA in scoring for the first time in his career. He also had 11.7 rebounds per game, and 4.2 assists per game, a field goal percentage of .499, three-point percentage of .371, and free throw percentage of .814.
Harden, the 2018 NBA MVP with the Rockets, averaged 22 points per game with the Brooklyn Nets and 76ers last year. He also averaged 10.3 assists per game and 7.7 rebounds per game. The three-time scoring champion had a field goal percentage of .410, three-point percentage of .330, and a free throw percentage of .877.
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Predicted Finish
There are high expectations for the 76ers, and a deep playoff run is expected. Joel Beatton has Philadelphia second in the Eastern Conference, while I have them third. We both have Philadelphia second in the Atlantic Division behind the Boston Celtics. I have the 76ers behind the Milwaukee Bucks in the East, while Joel has Philadelphia ahead of Milwaukee.
