July 1 Free Agency Preview: Sixers Edition
Source: NBA.com
July 1st is drawing closer, and that means free agency is around the corner. Normally, when you think of the Philadelphia 76ers, at least as of late, free agency hasn't been all that exciting. Sam Hinkie has opted to build from the draft, after acquiring many, many picks. Some paid off, and some have yet to even take the court....*Cough Joel Embiid Cough* *Cough Dario Saric Cough*. Nonetheless, this year is expected to be much different. Sam Hinkie is no longer the man in charge, as he resigned earlier this spring. With Jerry Colangelo serving as the VP of Basketball Ops, he decided to bring in his son, Bryan, to help turn the Sixers' fortunes around. The Sixers had three first-round draft picks in last week's draft, and they used them wisely, drafting Ben Simmons, Timothe Luwawu, and Furkan Korkmaz. With Joel Emibiid expected to make his debut in October, and Dario Saric hopefully make his debut too, the Sixers feel that their luck is about to change. With a solid core of young studs already in place, Bryan Colangelo's next task is to build a team around them.
With nearly $60 million in cap space, the Sixers should be very active in this year's free agent pool. However, for fans that like to dream big, let me just pop your bubble by saying that the Sixers will not be signing Kevin Durant, Dwight Howard, or Pau Gasol. They're not going to be major players for top free agents like them. Instead, I am under the impression that the Sixers will opt for mid-tier free agents. Colangelo is known for handing out max contracts, like they're nothing. Although, I see him being selective in who he adds this time around. He knows what he has, and what he needs. He's likely going target young up and coming players, as opposed to experienced vets, or players in their primes. With that said, let's take a look at some potential targets for the Sixers come July 1.
1.) Allen Crabbe
I personally believe that Crabbe is the best fit for the Sixers this summer. He's only 24-years old, so he fits in with the Sixers youth movement. He can move well with & without the ball, he's got solid ball handling skills, and he can pull-up off the dribble. Crabbe averaged 10.3 points per game last season for the Blazers, but was primarily used as a sixth-man off the bench. He's also a career 38.5% shooter from beyond the arc. With Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum blocking his path to playing time, it could make sense for the Sixers to lure him away by offering him starter-type money, and starter minutes.
2.) Harrison Barnes
It seems like this is closer to be reality, than many of us realize. Golden State has been heavily linked to Kevin Durant, and part of the scenario where they could sign Durant, includes Barnes signing elsewhere. The Sixers meanwhile, have been heavily linked to the former seventh-overall pick. In fact, a report surfaced tonight via CSNPhilly.com, that according the ESPN's Marc Stein, the Sixers plan to be "serious suitors" for his services. In four seasons with the Warriors, Barnes averaged no more than 11.7 points per game. Then again, it's difficult to be an offensive threat on a team with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. With that said, Barnes may be in a position to be the Sixers go-to-guy. Reports have stated that the a team would need to offer Barnes a max deal to lure him away from the Bay Area. A max contract would put him at a $23 million annual salary. At that type of salary, he better become their go-to-guy.
3.) Dion Waiters
As mentioned in the above article, the Sixers are also interested in Philadelphia native Dion Waiters. The fourth overall pick in the 2012 draft has spent the last two seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder, after being traded by Cleveland in the three-team deal that sent Iman Shumpart to the Cavs. The 24-year old has had ups & downs in his four-year career, but has still managed to average 11 or more points in three of his first four years. His numbers hit a down-ward trend last season, as he only mustered up 9.8 points per game. The pending RFA has been expected to re-sign with the Thunder, although last week's acquisition of combo-guard Victor Oladipo says otherwise. With Waiters pretty much out the door in OKC, reports indicate that the Sixers and Kings will be the biggest players for his services. Dion's from Philly, so my gut is telling me that he's on his way back home.
4.) Jeremy Lin
Could Linsanity be hitting the "City of Brotherly Love"? This summer, it could be quite possible. A few offseasons ago, the Sixers and Rockets were linked together as a potential destination in a Lin trade. Ultimately, Lin signed with Charlotte last summer, where he had a solid bounce-back season. The 27-year old Lin first burst on the scene in a big way, back in 2011 with the New York Knicks. He took over as the Knicks point guard mid-season, and made the most of his opportunity. He knocked down clutch shots repeatedly, including multiple game-winners. New York opted to let him walk, and he signed with the Houston Rockets. Lin was moved to the Lakers in July 2014, before ultimately landing with the Hornets last summer. He's averaged 11.7 points per game in his career, but has been very efficient from the field, shooting just over 43%. He hasn't been terrible from beyond the arc either, shooting 34% for his career. His solid ball-handling skills make him an attractive option to run the point. With the Sixers glaring need, and Lin's price tag expected to be very affordable, the Sixers could take the next step, and graduate from "admiring from afar" to asking Lin to "go steady". Jeremy's looking for a long-term home, and Philly could offer him just that.
5.) Matthew Dellavedova
Let's think about this one for a second. Dellavedova is Australian. Hmm...do we have any other Aussies on our team? Oh, that's right...only our franchise player Ben Simmons and head coach Brett Brown! The connection here is pretty obvious, and Delly would serve as a huge upgrade for the Sixers. In his three seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dellavedova hasn't been known much for his offensive game. Instead, he's garnered a ton of praise for his defensive game. He's done a solid job in the past two NBA Finals, guarding defending MVP Steph Curry. He's only averaged about 5.7 points per game in his career, but most of it has come off the bench. Aside from defensively, the strongest asset of his game is his work ethic. He's always up & down the court, and in on every play. He gives it 100%, and never takes a play off. He's a career 39.5% three-point shooter, so that's definitely a plus. I don't see the Cavs letting him walk, but you never know. Money can be a very influencing factor.
NBA Free Agency technically begins on Friday July 1, but players aren't officially allowed to put pen to paper, before July 9. Thankfully, we as fans will have the rumor mill to keep our excitement up until then. With that said, keep an eye out for further updates on the Sixers strategy, as the summer progresses.
