The Celtics road back to the NBA Finals just got a little tougher on Monday morning after their long-time rivals made a big splash.
The 76ers plan to preserve long-term cap space last year paid off as Paul George agreed to a four-year max extension worth $212 million overnight. George becomes the biggest name to switch names via a free agency signing since 2019, setting the stage for a revamped Sixers squad around Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
General manager Daryl Morey will need to piece together essentially an entire bench around Embiid, George and Maxey after hoarding cap space for George but Philadelphia started on that path Sunday night. Andre Drummond returned to Philadelphia for the second time in three years on a two-year deal, Kelly Oubre re-signed on a two-year contract for $16 million and Eric Gordon reunited with Morey for a deal on the veteran’s minimum. Here’s a closer look at what Morey has assembled so far:
On the surface, that’s not a ton of money left to throw around but the 76ers will be able to offer plenty of minutes to any reserves interested. With not a ton of cap space left out there on good teams, the 76ers should be able to snag at least one or two useful bench players above the veteran’s minimum along with whatever veteran minimum deals they can reel in.
The Celtics currently have two open roster spots on the 15-man roster after signingLuke Kornet and Neemias Queta Sunday night, although there may be some flexibility there if Queta’s deal with a partial guarantee. Boston only has veteran minimum deals left to offer free agents but suddenly the 76ers and Knicks have built true contenders and likely more opportunity off the bench than Boston can offer. That won’t increase the odds of a useful player to potentially fall through the cracks and sign with Boston for a chance at a ring.
Talentwise, the Celtics still have the edge with talent and continuity among the top six players for the 76ers and Knicks but the Sixers now look like a top threat to the Celtics now alongside the Knicks in the East. The presence of two-shot creators around Embiid gives the Sixers a dynamic they’ve lacked for years in crunch time. A lot for them is dependent on the health of Embiid and a 34-year-old George who has had more than his fair share of health issues over the last few years. If the Sixers are at full strength with this group though, they have the potential to be a problem for Boston.
The other subplot for the Celtics here is their own big man situation. Boston was not tested in their run to the NBA Finals by a dominant scorer in the front court. With Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo looming in the East, that’s unlikely to happen again. A 38-year-old Al Horford will be tested along with Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet, Neemias Queta and whoever else Boston can add in free agency on that front.
The Celtics will still remain favorites for at least one more year just by bringing their core back. The margin for error though is certainly decreasing with the 76ers and Knicks moves over the last couple of weeks. For years, more title contenders always loomed in the Western Conference but the balance of power in the NBA appears to be shifting to the East. The Sixers and Knicks are positioned to have these cores in place for years, making life tougher for Brad Stevens and Boston’s front office in their attempt to sustain a contender as new CBA rules look poised to weaken this group later this decade.
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