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There is no doubt that the Philadelphia 76ers had one of, if not the best, off-seasons thus far. After trading for Boston Celtics star forward Jaylen Brown, the 76ers immediately became one of the scariest teams in the East, and yet they still have a chance to land the big fish in LeBron James. While they had a great offseason, they also lost several key pieces.
For the smaller news, the 76ers declined Trendon Watford’s player option, which lost them another player to free agency, but this was the team’s decision and not one of the key players that makes the article. The 76ers lost a total of three key free agents this summer, and each of them has found a new home elsewhere. It is important to remember that it is impossible to keep everyone and have to be willing to save and clear money in order to build a championship-caliber team. With that being said, we take a look at every key player the 76ers lost and how they will impact their new team.
Players the 76ers Players Lost In the Offseason
Kelly Oubre Jr
Perhaps the one part of the offseason that stung a bit for the 76ers is Kelly Oubre Jr signing a two-year deal for nearly $17 million with the Indiana Pacers. Oubre spent three seasons in Philadelphia and started as a rotational bench piece and eventually became a starter.
In his time with Philadelphia, Oubre was very productive, averaging 14.1 points per game in the 2025-2026 season, 15.1 points per game in the 2024-2025 season, and 15.4 points per game in his first season with the Sixers in 2023-2024. Oubre joins a Pacers squad that reached the NBA Finals two seasons ago and will look to help them get back to that point. Oubre was a versatile forward who played with energy and intensity that Sixers fans and the organization will miss.
Quentin Grimes
The next key piece the 76ers lost isQuentin Grimes. Grimes signed with the Los Angeles Lakers to a four-year $60 million deal. Grimes averaged 13.4 points per game and occasionally had a game with the Sixers in which he would explode and score a lot; the issue is he is very inconsistent and shoots nearly every time he touches the ball, making it a potential concern for the Lakers.
The 76ers were not going to pay that contract even though they could afford it, and the 76ers overloaded on guards without Grimes. Grimes now joins a team featuringLuka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler. If Grimes can be consistent, he could be a nice piece to help the Lakers and he is still only 26 years old.
Andre Drummond
The final key piece the 76ers lost is Andre Drummond. Drummond signed a one-year $3.9 million contract with the defending champions, the New York Knicks. The 76ers also signed Knicks center Ariel Hukporti almost as if it were a trade. Drummond is 32 years old but is still a reliable option, as he is considered the best backup rebounding center and averaged 8.4 rebounds per game this past season. He also developed a three-point shot from the corner, and after Mitchell Robinson signed with the Boston Celtics, the Knicks have themselves a backup center to Karl-Anthony Towns.
Drummond will have the opportunity to help the Knicks get back to the promised land and win back-to-back NBA championships. It has become clear the Knicks are not satisfied and will continue to strive to win more and more championships and improve the roster. Drummond joins a team that has gone from rock bottom to the top of the mountain.
What free agent do you think will impact their team the most?
Main Image: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
