Playing Keep or Cut with Each of Philadelphia 76ers' Free Agents

It's almost time for the Philadelphia 76ers to decide which of their free agents are worth keeping or cutting during the 2015 NBA offseason.

This a critical time in solidifying their role players and second unit.

Philadelphia is in a position where it has been rebuilding for the past three years. Slowly moving pieces out in order to bring in draft picks and youth has given the team the ability to be a little more flexible with the roster's upcoming free agents.

Be on the lookout for veterans to be viewed at a premium and younger players as more expendable. It's really because none of Philly's six free agents are in a position to immediately become franchise-caliber players. The Sixers already have those members signed or can get them through the draft.

Philadelphia's key in deciding who to keep or cut will be to focus on which of the roster's free agents fit best with the franchise's top talent.

Glenn Robinson III, SG, Restricted

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Robinson III didn't do enough to differentiate himself from the rest of the players his size.

Philadelphia starts out with an easy one when it comes to Glen Robinson III. There really isn't any reason to keep him around when the roster spot can be better spent on a draft pick or free-agent signing.

He didn't finish the year with much of a body of work. He only played in 10 of the Sixers' games and averaged 4.4 points and 2.5 rebounds in 15.3 minutes per game.

It's clear that Philadelphia doesn't have a lot to go off of. 

There isn't any one attribute that sets Robinson III out from any other swing man on the wing. Typically, 6'7", 220-pound shooting guards and small forwards come around at a relatively steady rate and are a manageable spot to fill.

It makes the decision to not match any of Robinson III's offers an easy one.

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, PF, Unrestricted

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Mbah a Moute is a crucial piece to Joel Embiid's future.

The Sixers must re-sign Luc Richard Mbah a Moute—strictly because of his relationship with Joel Embiid.

Their bond could end up being one of the most important factors toward Embiid's growth as an NBA player.

A perfect example of this took place right before the start of the 2014-15 season when Embiid's younger brother passed away in a tragic accident in Africa. Mbah a Moute went with the rookie center to attend the funeral and help him and his family through the grieving process.

CSNPhilly.com's Dei Lynam interviewed Mbah a Moute about how he was able to support Embiid. Here's what the seven-year veteran had to say:

"

I have known his family since he was very young. And then with the process of bringing him [Joel] to the States we developed a strong relationship. I knew his younger brother too. He came to my camp this summer and just hung out with me all day during the camp.

I think he will take this week to stay with the family and make sure the healing process has started, but then he has to get back here. It is a harsh reality but he has to get back to work. Fortunately for him he is hurt, so he has more time to spend with them. I think the best thing for him be with them for a few more days and then come back [Philadelphia.]

"

His defensive value as an undersized power forward has to be looked at as an added bonus. He uses his speed and quickness to create interesting mismatches with his 6'8" height on both ends of the floor.

Mbah a Moute might not do enough on the court to completely warrant a new deal; however, he brings a valuable relationship to the table that absolutely does.

Keeping Mbah a Moute in Philadelphia is a way of investing in Embiid's future. It's something the Sixers must do.

Ish Smith, PG, Unrestricted

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Philadelphia needs to keep Smith in a Sixers uniform.

Ish Smith arrived at the 2014-15 trade deadline and immediately turned into a fan favorite. It's rare for a 6'0", 175-pound point guard to play bigger than his size and without fear, but that's exactly what the Sixers received when he got to Philadelphia.

Smith attacked the basket at a consistent rate and found a way to finish in a variety of ways. He also managed to get Nerlens Noel involved in a fashion that drew praise from the rookie center.

CSNPhilly.com's Dei Lynam captured Noel's strong words about Smith. Here's how he described their relationship on the court:

"I love that kid. He finds me whenever I am open. He is the first true point guard I have ever played with, and he says I am the first alley-oop big man he's played with. I think we complement each other. He's my favorite." 

It's important to maintain a healthy relationship between any point guard and a team's starting power forward or center. There's even more weight behind it when the big is young and developing.

Add in the value of having Smith around to backup DeAngelo Russell or Emmanuel Mudiay if either is selected in the upcoming draft, and keeping him in Philadelphia becomes a no-brainer.

Henry Sims, C, Restricted

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Sims did a great job in Philadelphia, but his time is likely coming to an end.

Joel Embiid's impending return along with the Sixers potentially taking a big in the draft has Henry Sims on the outside looking in.

It's a shame since he's been such a professional during his time with Philadelphia.

There were multiple occasions where Sims would sit for two or three consecutive games, only to be called upon and expected to play 15-20 minutes the following night. He always did what was asked of him and never questioned the process along the way.

As weird as it sounds, it's one of the reasons re-signing Sims doesn't make sense for either side.

He's clearly capable of being a productive player in the NBA and could be a solid bench contributor for the right team. Philadelphia just isn't that place, as he stopped getting playing time since the team has a variety of up-and-coming bigs in place and set to develop.

Noel and Embiid are clearly the Sixers' future. Keeping Thomas Robinson over Sims also makes sense since the former has more upside down the road. Add in the fact that Furkan Aldemir was getting more time near the end of the season, and the writing on the wall becomes a little more intense.

Taking a power forward or center with one of the team's five second-round picks would end up pushing it all over the edge.

Sims resurrected his career in Philadelphia, but he is better off moving on and for the Sixers to not match any of his incoming deals. It's the right decision for both parties.

Jason Richardson, SG, Unrestricted

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It's great to see Richardson back on the floor, and he should return next year.

Jason Richardson deserves a round of applause for having the patience and strength to return from an injury and suit up for the 2014-15 Sixers.

There were reports in October 2014 about his career possibly being over after suffering a stress fracture in his foot while rehabbing from knee surgery. Fast-forward to February 20, 2015, against the Indiana Pacers, and he ended up recording his first minutes in over two years.

Richardson has to be happy that he's even playing at all.

It's now time for the Sixers to keep him around for a little longer.

He was the only person on Philadelphia's roster over the age of 30 last season. The team needs to have a veteran presence who's seen most of what the NBA has to offer and is willing to work with the younger players in order to prepare them for what's to come.

Philly would be losing a great deal by letting him walk, especially since he is familiar with the organization and the roster already in place.

With that said, it wouldn't be surprising to see Richardson sign with a championship contender as a last-ditch effort to get a ring. Veterans tend to do exactly that when their careers are nearly finished.

Still, he's spent his last three seasons in Philadelphia and might feel responsible for helping some of the Sixers' youngsters grow.

If he is willing to eventually retire with a team that has the potential to be great down the line, then it's something that Philadelphia needs to take complete advantage of.

Thomas Robinson, PF, Unrestricted

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Robinson played the best basketball of his career while in Philadelphia.

The 76ers must do everything in their power to keep Thomas Robinson in a Philadelphia uniform.

As a Sixer, his 8.8 points and 7.7 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per game were all career highs. His next best numbers came at 4.8 points and 4.7 rebounds, so it's clear he closed the end of the year playing at the top of his game.

Robinson brings a unique level of activity along with a 6'10" frame built with mostly muscle. He's the type of guy whose true work won't show up in a box score. The energy he carries onto the floor every night stands on its own and can't truly be measured.

It's important to remember Robinson was also the No. 5 pick in the 2012 draft. He's still only 24 years old.

It was an unexpected acquisition midway through the year, but he is the perfect fit at power forward for a team looking to build with youth and potential. Three seasons have passed since he first entered the league, and Robinson has suited up for at least 19 games with four different teams.

Re-signing him at such a critical moment and providing some stability could be what it takes to watch the former University of Kansas product begin to truly blossom.

Bringing Robinson back is the ultimate low-risk, high-reward situation.