The Philadelphia 76ers have a number of free agents who will likely find new homes ahead of the 2024-25 season. The Sixers will be big-game hunting and will have their eyes in other areas which will mean some of their own free agents are going to shake loose.
One name that Philadelphia should absolutely bring back is Nic Batum. The Sixers are going to need role players surrounding Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and the third star that President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey is likely to bring in, and Batum fits that role.
Here is the case for the Sixers to bring Batum back in free agency:
Batum was brought to Philadelphia in the big James Harden trade with the Los Angeles Clippers back in October. The Sixers benefited from his steady play as he shot 39.9% from deep during the regular season and was a key piece of their success. His ability to move without the basketball and be able to make open looks is important for this offense.
It is a simple, yet tough skill to master in the NBA: the post pass. When Embiid is posting up and is trying to figure out the best spots to attack on the floor, that is when Batum is able to remain patient and wait for the window of opportunity to open before he fires it into the big fella. There have been too many times when the Sixers would struggle to get the ball into Embiid, but Batum has done a great job of finding the open window. That’s such an important skill for this group to have.
Batum doesn’t have the same quickness he used to have when he first entered the league, but the veteran is still an adept defender due to his high basketball IQ and ability to make the right reads. There were plenty of times when Batum would make the right basketball decision on the defensive end and it would be a difference in some situations for the Sixers. If he were to be let go, Philadelphia would sorely miss that.
Batum is a valued member of Philadelphia’s locker room and his ability to make plays for others as well as himself is something the Sixers cannot lose. He is a terrific shooter, he can help on the defensive end, and he is a reliable player on a nightly basis. He saved the Sixers in the play-in tournament win over the Miami Heat when he scored 20 points and knocked down six triples. He still can produce for this group.
Prediction: Stays