Which Third Options Make Sense for the 76ers?

LeBron James: Makes Sense

Any NBA franchise would love to have LeBron James on their roster. Regardless of the shortcomings he has experienced his career, he is among the greatest basketball players of all time. Even at age 39, he is making All-Star teams and posting undeniably impressive statistics. 

When one looks at James' career, his most successful years, in terms of winning, came when he played alongside a dominant center, à la Chris Bosh, Kevin Love, and Anthony Davis. If he were paired with Joel Embiid, his role would be to dish him the rock or take over in moments when the opposing team's defense is vulnerable. The cherry on top is the dominance James and Tyrese Maxey would possess in an open-court situation.

In terms of on-the-court fit, LeBron James makes perfect sense for the 76ers. The only thing that could prevent this from happening is the off-the-court complications LeBron James faces.

Paul George: Makes Sense

Winning has not come frequently throughout Paul George's career. With that considered, he would fit as perfectly as a missing puzzle piece next to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

He does everything great that the 76ers needed Tobias Harris to do well: defend at a high level, make mid-range field goals consistently, and give up the ball in critical situations. At 6'8", he would bring a big-bodied presence to a team that lacks size behind Embiid.

Jimmy Butler: Makes Sense

In 2022, Jimmy Butler exclaimed to media reporters, “Tobias Harris over me?!”

He made that statement in reference to the decision the franchise made to part ways with Butler in 2019. Butler was a good fit for the team back then, and he still fits the mold of what the 76ers need today.

Despite being a bit smaller, his style of play is similar to Paul George's. In addition, he already has chemistry with Joel Embiid, so the honeymoon stage of learning to play with his teammates would, in theory, run its course quicker than it would with a different co-star. 

Klay Thompson: Makes No Sense

If Klay Thompson were a Philadelphia 76er in 2024, it would be a recipe for disaster.

Thompson is a future hall-of-famer, but similarly to the Al Horford-signing of 2019, this would just be a signing of name value.

While the 76ers could use a guard next to Tyrese Maxey, they desperately need a well-rounded forward. Relying on guys like P.J. Tucker and Nicholas Batum will only take a team so far, and up until this point, that "so far" has been the second-round of the NBA playoffs at best. While guys like Buddy Hield and Kyle Lowry are not among the flashiest names to play next to Maxey in the backcourt, they have proven to be more serviceable than the plug-and-play forwards Philadelphia has marched out the past couple of years.