After the 2016 NBA Draft commenced, the Philadelphia 76ers made it a point that they were going to address the point guard position in free agency by adding a veteran. There were rumors swirling that the Sixers could be in the market for Jeff Teague, Ricky Rubio or bring back Ish Smith as a backup.
None of three scenarios happened as Teague was traded to the Indiana Pacers in a three-team deal, Rubio is still with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Ish Smith just signed a three-year, $18 million deal with the Detroit Pistons. To remedy the situation, the Sixers have signed free agent point guard Jerryd Bayless to a three-year, $27 million deal according to Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press.
Last season with the Milwaukee Bucks, Bayless averaged 10.4 points, 3.1 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 28.9 minutes per game. He also shot 42.3 percent from the field and a career-high 43.7 percent from three-point range.
Bayless is the perfect veteran guard for this Sixers’ team as they are in a win now mode, trying to sign multiple veteran players. Bayless also becomes a stop gap at the position as next year’s draft class is more guard heavy and the Sixers can find their point guard of the future there.
Krawczynski also adds that when it comes to Bayless’ contract as three years are guaranteed.
It will be interesting to see who else the Sixers can acquire in free agency as Bryan Colangelo and Co. are just getting started.
Bayless and other free agents cannot sign their new deals until July 7.
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