Realistic Targets to Round Out the Sixers' Roster
Good morning.
Here’s the Sixers’ roster as it stands, assuming the Jimmy Butler sign and trade is completed as reported:
- Ben Simmons
- Joel Embiid
- Al Horford
- Josh Richardson
- Tobias Harris
- Mike Scott
- Matisse Thybulle
- Zhaire Smith
- Jonah Bolden
- Shake Milton (haven’t gotten an official press release yet, but we can probably pencil this in)
I see three things the team could use right now.
One is a backup ball handler to spell Ben Simmons. It can’t be T.J. McConnell, who was taken out of the playoff rotation after game one of the Brooklyn series. Two, they need another shooter off the bench, and three, you might want to look for another backup big for nights when Joel Embiid sits and Al Horford slides down to play center. You can, of course, play some small ball five as well with Mike Scott and/or Jonah Bolden, if you want to go down that road instead.
The Sixers have about $8 million in cap space right now with a pair of two-way contracts to hand out. One of those could go to second round draft pick Marial Shayok and it was reported that Norvel Pelle is a candidate for the other.
I like, after the jump:
Seth Curry
Steph’s brother made $2.7 million last year in Portland. He’s a solid backup point guard who averaged 8/2/1 in 19 minutes per game for the Blazers. He shot the ball at 46% this year and 45% from three on 3 attempts per game and played about 20 minutes per game in the playoffs. There will be competition for his signature.
Danny Green
32 years old and coming off another title.
Problem is, he made $10 million last year, and I don’t think the Sixers can afford him, not unless he wants to take a pay cut for another chance at a deep playoff run.
Wayne Ellington
The 31-year-old shooting guard made $2.4 million in Miami/Detroit last season and hit at 37% from three.
Edit: cross Ellington off the list –
Free agent Wayne Ellington has agreed to a two-year, $16M deal with the New York Knicks, agent Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2019
James Ennis
You can bring him back, for sure. Ennis opted out of his $1.8 million contract this season, so you might be able to convince him to take something in the $2.5 to $3 million range. Ennis is a career 35.7% shooter who only shot 30% from three as a Sixer, so I think a full offseason and some familiarity with the system could help get him back to his professional average.
Justin Holiday
30 years old, career 35% three point shooter, made $4.3 million last year playing for Chicago and Memphis.
Avery Bradley
Only on a veteran minimum if the Grizzlies decide to waive him. His 2019 contract was for $13 million with $2 million guaranteed if not waived before July 8th. That date was pushed back from July 1st. Situation worth monitoring.
Austin Rivers
Rivers is unpopular in Philly, but he’s cheap and can handle the ball for you off the bench. That’s what you’re looking for here; you wouldn’t be paying him $5 million to come in and play serious minutes. He’d have to accept a bench role on a good team.
That’s about it. Not a ton of amazing options out there, but the Sixers should be an attractive destination for vets looking to play for a winner.
Any of these names do anything for you? –
Best free agents still available:
Kawhi
Danny Green
JaMychal Green
Boogie Cousins
Seth Curry
Marc. Morris
Keef Morris
Oubre Jr.
Cauley-Stein
K.Looney
Delon Wright
Caldwell-Pope
James Ennis
Rondo
N.Vonleh
Kanter
J. McGee
Elf Payton
W.Chandler
Jabari Parker
A. Rivers
W. Ellington— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) July 1, 2019