Philadelphia 76ers: Grading Each Offseason Move

The Philadelphia 76ers had by far the best offseason in the entire league. From a blockbuster trade to signing the big fish, the 76ers immediately went from a good team to a team that is now ready to compete for a championship. Sixers guard VJ Edgecombe said the 76ers were either “championship or bust,” and he is exactly right; this is their best chance to finally win and complete the process. We now get into grading each offseason move the 76ers made to get better.

76ers Offseason Grades

Trade for Celtics 2024 Finals MVP

The 76ers started things off very quietly; the first two days of free agency, Sixers fans were getting very concerned. That might have been part of the plan, as the 76ers then traded Paul George with four draft picks to the Boston Celtics for Jaylen Brown. Brown averaged 28.7 points per game last season and is still only 29 years old. He was the 2024 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player with the Celtics and is a five-time NBA All-Star. The only issue is Brown wanted to run his own team and do it all, and he sometimes can play selfishly, which will not work if he continues that in Philadelphia.

Grade: A+

76ers Sign LeBron

Here is what has to sting for Celtics fans after trading for Brown: the 76ers were able to sign LeBron James, so the Celtics gave the 76ers two All-Stars. The 76ers signed James for a two-year veteran’s minimum deal. James averaged 20.9 points per game last season and is still a high-impact player. James won four NBA titles and four NBA Finals MVPs, four regular-season MVPs, and became the NBA All-Time scoring leader and broke the record. To make his resume even more impressive, he is a 22-time All-Star, and the 76ers now have potentially the League’s greatest ever. The only concern is he is 41 years old, and he could really begin to slow down.

Grade: A+

First-Round Pick

The 76ers drafted guard Labaron Philon Jr with the 22nd pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Philon is an excellent ball handler who showed many flashes throughout the summer league and will likely get minutes off the bench. Philon was projected to be a top-15 pick and instead fell right to the Sixers’ lap.

Grade: A-

Caleb Love

Then they signed Caleb Love to a two-way. Love had limited opportunity with the Portland Trail Blazers but made the most of it, averaging 10.4 points per game. Love gives guard depth and will likely spend time with the NBA and the G League.

Grade: B

Anfernee Simons and Dean Wade

If the 76ers do not have enough guards, they also signed Anfernee Simons to load them up. Simons averaged 15.2 points per game and is only 27 years old. Simons will likely be one of the first guys off the bench for the 76ers, ready to make an impact.

To continue their dominant free agency, they also signed Dean Wade to give them a power forward. By no means is Wade a flashy player, but he is 6’9” and will do the dirty work off the bench to help this squad succeed.

Grade: B-

Ariel Hukporti

Perhaps one of the biggest areas of concern is the backup center position. The 76ers signed Ariel Hukporti to backup Joel Embiid. Hukporti previously played for the New York Knicks and had very little opportunity, and he can develop with the 76ers. The issue is the 76ers need a proven center that can come in and bang the boards when Embiid is not in the game, and Hukporti may not be that.

Grade: D

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

They then signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who is a solid three-and-D wing but is 33 years old. He gives them bench depth and can play defense, which will help this squad.