NBA free agency: Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris among long list of Sixers to discuss priorities

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CAMDEN, N.J. — There were three very different versions of the Sixers this season. The first, you may recall, featured Markelle Fultz, Dario Saric and Robert Covington in the starting lineup.

With eight unrestricted free agents and two players with player options (James Ennis and Jimmy Butler), the Sixers will likely look very different again to start the 2019-20 season.

Here’s what the unrestricted free agents had to say at exit interviews Monday and an early look at whether they may return to the Sixers. We’ll include Butler in this group, given he practically confirmed he won’t be picking up his player option when he said, “Hopefully I’ll get a max contract anywhere I choose to go.”

Jimmy Butler  

What he said 
“You always want to be able to win, I think that’s key for sure. You’re looking at coaches, you’re looking at the city. There’s a lot that goes into it. For me, as long as I got my people with me, they’re happy, they’re smiling and we’re waking up knowing we're getting to work in an environment where we’re having fun ... but I’m a long ways away from that. I’m not too focused on that right now.”

Will he be back?
The Sixers, because they have Butler’s Bird rights, can exceed the salary cap to re-sign Butler and are the only team that can offer him a five-year, $190 million deal — although Butler insisted Monday that he thinks he “has more than enough money now from my first deal.” Regardless, the Sixers may very well have to pay that much — or close to it — given how Butler boosted his stock with his excellent playoff performance. We’ll delve more into the pros and cons of signing Butler to a lucrative, long-term deal later, but for now, let’s simply say it’s a massive decision for the Sixers. 

Tobias Harris 

What he said
“There's only so many players that are super stable in the NBA, let's just be upfront with that. For me honestly, style of play is a huge thing. Culture. A chance to be able to win. Just being in the playoffs here and getting that feeling and seeing how bad that loss felt.”

Will he be back?
Like with Butler, Harris is eligible for a max contract and the Sixers have his Bird rights. Whereas a significant part of the risk in signing the 29-year-old Butler to a max deal would be a possible decline in his health and value, an investment in the 26-year-old Harris would signal the Sixers feel his best basketball is ahead of him. 

JJ Redick 

What he said 
“Obviously I recognize I’m a little bit down the totem pole here. I had to wait around last summer as well. I would love to be back with the Sixers. I’d love to finish my career here and all that. But again, you don’t know how it’s going to play out. I’m mature enough to recognize that the Sixers have other priorities, just as they did last summer.”

Will he be back? 
Redick is cognizant of where he fits in the big picture. This time last year, he acknowledged that “numbers can get tricky,” but the numbers worked for him to return to the Sixers for a second season. Though Redick will be 35 years old at the start of next season, his shooting and perpetual off-ball movement would still be welcome on the Sixers. Yes, Redick won’t be nearly as high a priority as Butler or Harris, but you’d think Elton Brand will try to make the numbers fit again.

Mike Scott

What he said
“I told Brett [Brown] and E.B. that I enjoyed my time here. Of course I would want to play here on a team and be coached by Brett, and E.B. being around everybody. We all know how the NBA works. We all know how signings and free agency works. I’ll talk to my agent. He’ll talk to E.B. We’ll work some things out. But for the most part, I love being here. It felt like it gave me a jolt back into my career.”

Will he be back?
Again, the dominoes of Butler and Harris will likely play a role in Scott’s offseason fate, but the versatile, veteran bench player returning would make a lot of sense. In just 37 games, Scott inspired a cult following, tattoos and all, making an instant connection with Philly fans. He said Monday he felt “like I was one of them.” 

T.J. McConnell

What he said 
“Obviously we have a lot of free agents on this team. There’s just the feeling of the unknown. I don’t have an answer for you. I obviously would love to be here. I have so much love for this city, the fans, the organization. Being here is something that I would really like to happen.”

Will he be back? 
McConnell’s chances of returning increase significantly if Butler, the team’s de facto second-unit point guard, goes elsewhere. If Butler is back, the Sixers would have no apparent on-court need for McConnell, as much as they love his mentorship of younger players and unfailingly positive attitude.

Boban Marjanovic, Greg Monroe, Amir Johnson

What they said
All three big men had good things to say about the Sixers’ organization and their teammates. Marjanovic was grateful for the immediate support he received, saying, “I really enjoy being one of the fans’ favorites. … When I hear [the fans], your blood gets warmer and you’re in the game and ready to go.” 

Will they be back?
Marjanovic and Monroe both had nice moments in the playoffs, but the Sixers were unable to find a capable backup for Joel Embiid. The Sixers will be searching for a backup big man in free agency and, should they find a decent one, all three of these players will likely be gone.

Furkan Korkmaz 

What he said 
“It was a hard season for me because I was the first guy to ask to be traded and then six or seven players left and I stayed all season. … I’m really confident about [free agency.] I know that I’m going to get the opportunity."

Will he be back?
The Sixers declined Korkmaz’s third-year option in the fall. The 21-year-old Turkish guard has wanted a fresh start, and now he’ll have that chance. 

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