NBA: Five Teams That Must Be Big Players In Free Agency

Sep 27, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers general manger Sam Hinkie answers questions during media day at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia 76ers

FA Targets: Tobias Harris, Khris Middleton, Brandon Knight 

Even though the Sixers may very well swing and miss on the bigger free agent names this summer, I feel like this is the offseason where Sam Hinkie has to at least try to progress the team.

With some projecting next year’s NBA Draft class as being weak, there’s really no reason for the Sixers to be tanking — again. Sooner or later Philadelphia is going to have to begin to build this team vertically, and so far all they’ve been working on is the horizontal foundation.

After two years of tanking, all the Sixers have to show for it is three guys (Jahlil Okafor, Joel Embiid, Nerlens Noel) that all play the same position — hopefully one of them hits. In fairness, they do have assets in the way of draft picks.

But other than a bunch of draft picks — that probably sound better than they’re actually worth — and three guys that all play the same position, this “plan” that Hinkie has the Sixers on, which is also entering year three, hasn’t exactly been the best thing in Philly.

Philly fans swear to believing in the “process” of Hinkie, but I’m not even sure if they themselves deep down still believe in it anymore.

Next: Will Playing In The Eastern Conference Be An NBA Free Agency Selling Point?