How Detroit Pistons’ offseason compares to the Eastern Conference elite

Butler and Redick leave spacing issues

Key Losses: Jimmy Butler, J.J. Redick

Key Additions: Al Horford, Josh Richardson

The 76ers had the most interesting offseason of any Eastern Conference power. A lot of people assumed they would break out the checkbook and re-sign both Tobias Harris and Jimmy Butler. Instead, they paid Harris, let Butler and J.J. Redick walk and turned their attention to Al Horford.

It was unlikely to say the least. A team that struggled with spacing parting ways with it’s two best 3-point shooters in the starting lineup. Butler was also the player Philadelphia looked to down the stretch as he led the team in fourth quarter scoring.

This isn’t a knock on Horford, who is an ultra smart player that works well in both the high post and low block. Between his passing (4.2 assists per game last season) and 3-point shooting (36.8 percent for his career) Horford should be able to share the court with Joel Embiid.

The 76ers did acquire Josh Richardson from the Heat as part of a sign-and-trade for Butler. I would expect the 25-year-old shooting guard to start. He will be leaned on heavily for shooting (a career 36.8 percent shooter from deep), especially when he’s sharing a backcourt with Ben Simmons, who hasn’t even considered shooting from outside of the paint despite landing an impressive extension this offseason.

Horford and Richardson will help an already talented team make another run at an NBA title. It’s just hard to imagine, after losing Butler and Redick, that the 76ers will be better than last season.

Philadelphia was a heartbreaking Kawhi Leonard shot away from making it to the Eastern Conference finals a season ago. They arguably had the best starting five in the conference. It very well could have been them upending the banged up Warriors. The NBA is all about timing and maximizing your window, and the 76ers window might have closed a year early.