76ers Rumors: Kyle Lowry, Kelly Oubre Jr., Nicolas Batum Contracts Eyed in NBA FA

The Philadelphia 76ers are looking for another star this offseason, but they will still need a solid supporting cast and reportedly have their eyes on bringing back some of their own free agents to fill those secondary roles.

Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Sunday that Kyle Lowry, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Nicolas Batum "are the free agents the team most likely would like to re-sign." He highlighted their ability to play well alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey and the cheaper contracts that at least Lowry and Batum may command.

Oubre might be more difficult, though, as Pompey noted the team understands he may have "played himself out of a minimum-salary contract" and would likely have to fall to the $6 million to $8 million range if they are going to bring him back.

Philadelphia will have significant cap space this offseason but still needs financial flexibility if it is going to accomplish its goal of bringing in a third star to play with Embiid and Maxey.

Pompey noted the front office is considering a group that includes Paul George, LeBron James, Jimmy Butler and Brandon Ingram as possible free agency or trade additions, which will leave less money to fill out the rest of the roster.

The addition of any of those players would be quite the selling point to Lowry, Oubre and Batum, as it would give them the opportunity to realistically play for a championship next season.

Lowry is the type of veteran with plenty of playoff experience who could provide leadership and intangibles on a team filled with stars. Batum is as well, and they could both capitalize on the open looks created by those stars after they each shot better than 39 percent from three-point range last season.

Oubre would provide the highest ceiling of that group after he settled into his role nicely with Philadelphia last season.

He averaged 15.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals while shooting 44.1 percent from the field and 31.1 percent from deep as someone who picked up difficult defensive matchups and looked to attack as a scorer when needed.

The 28-year-old would be a high-ceiling fourth or fifth option for the 76ers if they kept him and added another star, but those types of secondary options frequently make the difference between a deep playoff run and early exit.