Veterans Nic Batum, Kyle Lowry, and Kelly Oubre Jr. are the players the Philadelphia 76ers would like to re-sign most this offseason, a source told Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
All three players joined the Sixers at various points during the 2023-24 campaign.
With Joel Embiid, Paul Reed, and Ricky Council IV currently the only players under contract for Philly next season, the team projects to have almost $65 million to spend in free agency. Tyrese Maxey, the newly-crowned Most Improved Player, is set to enter restricted free agency.
Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said in May that the club wants to add a big-time wing next to Embiid and Maxey this offseason. Philly is reportedly making Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George its top priority in free agency and is apparently interested in reuniting with Miami Heat veteran Jimmy Butler. The team also has its eye on Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James and New Orleans Pelicans wing Brandon Ingram, Pompey reports.
Oubre inked a one-year deal with the Sixers during the last free agency. Over 68 games, the 28-year-old averaged 15.4 points on 44% field goal shooting, along with five rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.1 steals. Oubre would have to sign a contract in the range of $6 million to $8 million if Philadelphia adds a third player to a maximum deal, Pompey adds.
The 76ers acquired Batum last October as part of the James Harden trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. The 35-year-old averaged 5.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 57 games in Philly while maintaining stellar defense.
Lowry joined the Sixers in February after the Heat traded him to the Charlotte Hornets to acquire Terry Rozier, signing with his hometown club after the Hornets bought him out. The 38-year-old averaged eight points and 4.6 assists in 23 games with the franchise.
The Sixers finished the season 47-35 and were eliminated in the opening round of the postseason by the New York Knicks.
