Sixers Rumors: Former Villanova standout listed as potential free agent target this offseason
As the Sixers prepare for the offseason, the fate of All-Star guard James Harden sits at the top of Daryl Morey’s agenda.
Whether Harden’s desire to reunite with the Houston Rockets is true, or just a leverage play to squeeze out the biggest possible deal from Philadelphia is debatable. If Harden does bolt back to Houston, the Sixers will have access to its full MLE and the bi-annual exception, giving them some wiggle room to add pieces to their roster.
If this is the hand the Sixers are dealt, Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes listed former Villanova standout and NBA champion Donte DiVincenzo as a possible free agent target. He writes:
“Donte DiVincenzo is a slick off-ball disruptor and elite glass-crasher for his position, ranking in the 90th percentile in steal rate and 86th in offensive rebound rate among wings with the Warriors last year. He also drilled a career-best 39.7 percent of his treys.”
In 2022, DiVincenzo averaged 26.3 minutes per game while putting up 9.4 points per contest. He shot 43.5 percent from the field, including 39.7 percent from three – a career-high for the 26-year-old guard.
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Hughes continues:
“If Harden leaves, the Sixers can elevate Tyrese Maxey in the pecking order, surround him with more defense and spacing and hope the exchange ultimately produces a balanced, complete roster. Figuring out how to secure both DiVincenzo and Lyles with exceptions worth $12.2 million and $4.4 million, respectively, will be the tricky part.”
Handing the proverbial keys to the offense over to Maxey is the natural ‘next step’ in his development. Surrounding him with shooters who don’t need the ball in their hands to be effective should be priority number one for Morey. DiVincenzo fits that bill.
His ties to the city is a nice plus, too. He’s no Mikal Bridges or Jalen Brunson, but he still played a pivotal role in Nova’s numerous championship runs.
Mandatory Credit: Getty Images
