While LeBron James is, without a doubt, the top target for most NBA teams next summer, there are plenty of quality fallback options in the incoming group of free agents. The Philadelphia 76ers have made quite some buzz as of late, following reports about the team’s aspirations to sign the four-time NBA MVP.

Already with a promising young roster, the Sixers have the ability to add more firepower, with their cap space projected at around $25 million. Sixers general manager Bryan Colangelo could create more room by unloading a couple of players for another expiring contract before the trading window closes in February.

According to a rival executive, as reported by USA Today’s Jeff Zillgitt, the Sixers appear to be very determined to rival the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers for LeBron once he hits the free agency market. After all, the Sixers have the roster (Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Markelle Fultz) and resources (cap space) to chase the world’s best basketball player.

Fallback options at wing position

However, nothing is set in stone when it comes to free agency. That’s the reason why every team should have fallback options in the event they fail to snag their "plan A" target. The 2018 free agency class presents the Sixers plenty of solid alternatives to LeBron.

"Three-and-D" wing players like Avery Bradley, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Rodney Hood, and Danny Green are always enticing trade targets because of their ability to impact the game on both ends.

Then, there are veterans like Trevor Ariza and Rudy Gay, who can still produce solid numbers and at the same time provide mentorship to a young team like the Sixers.

All-Star forwards Paul George and Carmelo Anthony are ambitious free-agent targets for the Sixers, as much as James, yet crazy things have happened in previous summers, so landing one of them isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

Celtics’ trade bait for Gasol

Marc Gasol is at the center of trade rumors this week after David Fizdale was relieved from his job as head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies. With the Grizz struggling to get wins and now dealing with coaching instability, trade speculations surrounding the All-Star big man have surfaced.

Mitch Lawrence of Forbes.com mentioned the Celtics among the teams that could make a play for Gasol.

Although the scribe still thinks New Orleans Pelicans’ big man Anthony Davis remains the top trade target for the Celtics, he won’t be surprised if Danny Ainge makes a win-now move for Gasol. The question now is how the Celtics would pull off a deal for the center without gutting the roster.

As great as Al Horford has been with the Celtics, the forward could wind up as the Celtics’ trade chip for Gasol. Horford is on a lucrative contract paying him on an average of $26 million per year with three years left on his deal. Meanwhile, Gasol is set to earn $22 million and has two years and $49.7 million remaining, with a player option for 2019-20. While Horford is a year younger, the 32-year-old Gasol proves to be a much better scorer, rebounder, and rim protector. The big has already extended his range all the way to the three-point line, where he’s shooting 33 percent, so the transition to a fast-paced, small-ball offense won't be a problem.
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