NBA Rumors: Philadelphia 76ers May Benefit From Signing Former All-Star Big Man

zThe Philadelphia 76ers have developed into one of the best teams in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. Despite their success, they’re still looking to improve their team even further. One rumor speculates that the 76ers can benefit well from signing Marc Gasol.

Among one of the traits that keep the 76ers relevant is the All-Star duo of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. These two big names star in what the organization calls The Process. The emergence of these two stars has made the 76ers a consistent postseason since 2017.

Despite this, the organization has fallen to several tough losses, none bigger than Kawhi Leonard’s buzzer-beating jumper in game 7 of the 2019 Eastern Conference Semifinals.

To bounce back from these losses, there have been key additions for the 76ers in the recent months, including veteran big man Al Horford. While the signing of Horford was lauded as a big move, the impact of the former All-Star has yet to be fully felt. Criticism has risen that Horford isn’t exactly a good fit with how the 76ers are built.

Per NBC Sports, they reported that there are several other big men that the 76ers could target for the future. One of these is a former franchise player and recently crowned NBA Champion Marc Gasol. Having someone of Gasol’s caliber adds a large presence in Philadelphia’s frontcourt. The former Defensive Player of the Year has proven himself as a versatile player on the court.

Whether it’s on defensive duties or on setting good screens, Gasol has shown that he’s capable of stepping up on what his team needs. While he’s not as dominant offensively compared to his days in Memphis, Gasol has been able to contribute in other ways. The big man can stretch the floor with his improved three-point shooting and has always been a consistent presence inside the paint.

The addition of Gasol would be a good locker room figure for the 76ers, in particular for Embiid. The championship experience Gasol has garnered in international play and with his stint with the Raptors could be significant benefits for a young team like Philadelphia.

It will be interesting to see if the 76ers will pursue Gasol and if they’ll be able to utilize the veteran for a stronger bid for the NBA title.