Step 1: Nick Nurse, Head Coach

We need a coach who can step in and use Embiid in the right way. Nurse should himself to be a master tactician in Toronto as well as excellent as developing young talent. Don't forget his pre-existing relationship with Morey.

Step 2: Sign and Trade Harden

Not only might he be cooked at this point, but I don't think he will ever accept being the Robin to Embiid's Batman. Time to move on. I would flip him to Phoenix for Chris Paul. Is Chris Paul 100 years old? Yes. Does he play hard? Also yes. This is really a one year rental as Paul is voidable at the end of 2023-34. There are limited teams who (a) want Harden and (b) can make the trade work from an cap perspective.

Step 4: Trade Harris

Tobi seems like a nice guy, be he is just not a killer. Time to move on from this experiment. I looked around the league for a fit, and I think he fits nicely next to Luka in Dallas. We send him to Dallas for former process success story Christian Wood and Tim Hardaway, Jr. Wood is a UFA who doesn't seem to fit there. Bring him home.

Step 5: Free Agents

Admittedly, I am not great at understanding which cap exceptions are available, but if I have read things right and they sign and trade harden, I think they have $12 million. it pains me to say it, but I'm taking a run at Miles Bridges on a 2 year deal with a team option in the second. I'd also like to take a run at Harrison Barnes, but I don't think we can afford him.

We also need a new backup 5 and so I'm taking a run at Thomas Bryant who should be available at a reasonable price.

Step 6: Remaining players

Maxey - exercise team option and extend

House - presume he exercises his player option

Harrell - presume he exercises his player option (ugh)

Reed - let him walk, someone will over pay.

Springer - exercise team option

Dedmon - renounce and let him walk

McDaniels - resign to a reasonable deal

Niang - resign to a reasonable deal

Milton - renounce and let walk

Starting lineup - Chris Paul, Maxey, (Bridges/Barnes/FA), Wood, Embiid

Bench: Springer, Hardaway, McDaniels, Tucker, Melton, Niang, House, Harrell, Backup 5 to be signed.

This leaves one more slot on the roster. For now I throw it to McClung just to keep the public happy.