East Notes: Sixers, Assets, Joel Embiid, Pacers, Hawks

76ers

If we know anything about 76ers head of basketball operations Daryl Morey, we know he’s a trader. Keep in mind, we said trader and not “traitor.” (Unless perhaps if you ask James Harden.)

Anyway, Morey and the Sixers really went out and landed some top-flight veterans this offseason, starting with All-Star forward Paul George. They also signed Caleb Martin, formerly of the Heat, and Martin and Geoge will be your starting forwards.

Along with that, they brought back center Andre Drummond, and acquired guards Eric Gordon and Reggie Jackson. That’s a lot of big-game experience with which to surround Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

But guess what? Philadelphia may not be finished. The 76ers still have some draft capital and assets, as written by the staff at SI.com’s Draft Digest.

“In order to add to the core of Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and the newly-inked Paul George, Philadelphia will still need to expend their draft picks, be it on the trade market or at the actual draft, a la Jared McCain,” the outlet wrote.

But hey, fear not. If it comes down to it, Morey is always willing to make another move.

• Thunder big man Chet Holmgren appeared on George’s podcast and discussed once trying to defend Embiid during an offseason workout session. “We played one-on-one in the middle of a pickup game. He put eight people on the other side of the floor and said you’re not allowed to double,” Holmgren said. “So we played one-on-one. I couldn’t do [expletive]. People always be like, ‘He’s not gonna be able to guard Embiid when he gets in the NBA.’ Nobody can guard [Embiid] one-on-one! That’s why you don’t see nobody guard [him] one-on-one. He sees double teams every night.”

Pacers

The Pacers are coming off a run to the Eastern Conference finals and “operated this offseason as if they’re confident last season’s results weren’t a mirage,” wrote Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors.

In other words, Indiana appears content running it back with largely the same cast — featuring the likes of Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner, Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin and others.

“As a result, Indiana’s team salary is hovering right around the luxury tax line, a threshold the small-market franchise rarely crosses,” Adams added. “Barring another mid-season splash similar to last year’s Siakam acquisition, the Pacers should be able to remain out of the tax for at least this season, but with a couple rotation players due for raises next season, that may not be the case for much longer, assuming the club wants to continue pushing toward title contention.”

Hawks

It will be an uphill climb for the Hawks to make the playoffs next season, wrote Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report.

“The Atlanta Hawks should finish ahead of the Bulls, a Play-In entrant last year that doesn’t figure to return to that level in 2024-25,” Hughes wrote. “But Trae Young and Co. are still up against a numbers game; none of the other teams that finished above them in the standings projects to be any weaker than they were last year.

“In fact, it’s easier to foresee improvement than decline from each of the (deep breath) Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks and Boston Celtics. All eight of those teams finished with at least 10 more wins than the Hawks last season.”

Well, that sounds dire. But Hughes has a point. There are a lot of unknowns for Atlanta entering the season. If most of those turn out to be positive, then who knows? Maybe the Hawks sneak into the playoffs. If not, though, it’s likely to be another year in the lottery.