Around the NBA, it’s that key time in the season when teams need to take a step back and assess where they stand as an organization. For playoff contenders, it’s an opportunity to determine whether or not they might be just one piece away from the promised land. For teams like the Philadelphia 76ers that have been struggling over the past few seasons, it’s an opportunity to start thinking about the draft and next season’s free agent class.
From a drafting standpoint, the Sixers would seem to be in good position, having stockpiled picks and enough good young talent to have options. That said, there might also be an opportunity to put a cap on the team’s rebuilding process through the free agency market. The fact the team has such a promising core of young players makes it an interesting destination for veteran players who want to score a big contract and be a part of bringing this once proud organization back to life.
With free agents like Lebron James and Kevin Durant in line for free agency, it clear that the 2016 off-season is going to be busy and exciting. While players like James and Durant figure to stay put or farm themselves out to big market teams, there is still a slew of big time talent that might be worth a look from Philly’s front office.
With its top three salaried players (Landry – $6,500,000, Embiid – $4,626,960, Okafur – $4,582,680), plus Nerlens Noel all vying for the power forward and center spots, it’s clear the team’s focus should be put on getting a shooting guard and/or forward into the mix. Consider these agent options.
Gordon Hayward: Forward – As a Utah Jazz restricted free agent, Gordon’s availability is not clear. That said, there have been enough no sign rumors circulating that he should get more than a passing thought. He was a prolific scorer at Butler and over six seasons in the NBA, he has increased his scoring average each year, currently sitting at 19.8 PPG. Though he only shoots 44% from the field, he has long arms, a true scorer’s mentality and knows how to get to the basket with his aggressive style.
Bradley Beal: Shooting Guard – While it’s unlikely the Wizards will let him go, he is a restricted free agent who would draw a lot of attention. While he only shoots 42% from the field, he’s a career 40% shooter from behind the arc. With a young and talented front-line to handle the inside, a sharp shooter with his range could really open the middle up for the bigs. The only downside is that he has proven to be a bit fragile, having missed more than 10% of his team’s games each season. With a license to shoot, he could well be a 20.0 PPG kind of guy.
Nicolas Batum: Guard/Forward – As an unrestricted free agent, he may well be available for the right price. At 6’8″, he’s a good shooter with good range. He plays very well in an up-tempo environment, which would fit the young Sixers to a tee. Given his size and length, he can defend any guard or forward position and is not afraid to get in there and mix it up on the boards. With Charlotte, he is carrying a 15.1 PPG average, much like his days at Portland. At 27-years old, he could be a good catch on a long-term deal.
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