The Philadelphia 76ers are expected to move quickly in the NBA buyout market, with at least two roster spots projected to open when 10-day contracts for Charles Bassey and Patrick Baldwin Jr. expire this weekend.
Additional flexibility could come from temporarily shifting Paul Georges to the suspended list, giving the front office more room to add help for the stretch run.
Names on the radar, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, include forward Chris Boucher, guard Lonzo Ball and swingman Haywood Highsmith. Dallas Mavericks veteran Khris Middleton was also mentioned as a hypothetical candidate, though no buyout discussions have been reported.
Financial constraints loom large. Philadelphia sits roughly $1.6 million below the luxury-tax threshold and about $3.8 million under the first apron, allowing the club to sign two rest-of-season minimum deals without triggering penalties.
Boucher played for coach Nick Nurse in Toronto and could bolster frontcourt depth. Ball, recently waived by Utah, would add stability to a backcourt that moved on from Jared McCain and Eric Gordon. Highsmith, cut by Brooklyn while rehabbing a meniscus injury, has attracted interest from multiple playoff teams and began his NBA career with the Sixers.
Philadelphia may also look inward. Forward Jabari Walker has reached his two-way contract limit, and president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said the team is evaluating whether to convert him to a standard deal.
The options are plentiful; the 76ers now have to decide which moves best fit their playoff push.
Source: Hoops Wire
