According to Adrian Worjanowski of ESPN, the Sixers have signed J.J. Redick to a one-year contract. The move may come as a surprise to some, but the veteran shooter fits this new era of Sixers basketball in almost every way. Here are some takeaways from the reported signing and what it means for the team:
Sources: Philadelphia agrees on a one-year, $23M deal with @JJRedick. Story on ESPN. https://t.co/yKTJPVCHIA
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2017
The bubble grows:
The NBA has been in a three-point bubble for quite some time now…and it’s a bubble the Sixers have both tried and failed to join.
Last year, the Sixers made just 32% of their attempted three pointers. That doesn’t sound that bad..right? It does when there were only five teams who shot more than them. All five of those teams shot 35% or better from beyond the ark.
Then there’s the efficiency side of things. Per 100 possessions, the Sixers averaged 93 points in the 2014/15 campaign. Of those 93 points, 30 came from three pointers. Again, that doesn’t seem so bad. But of the FIVE teams to attempt more threes than the Sixers..NONE of them scored less than an average of 101 points per game.
Their drafting this year symbolized a team who were well aware that both attacking and defending the perimeter has to be a priority. Signing one of the league’s most reliable long-range shooters is only going to aid that mission. Redick led the league converting 47.5% of his threes in the 2015/16 campaign, averaging 42% over the last three seasons.
Last year, Redick averaged 15 points per game, shooting 44.5% from the paint and 42.9% outside the arc. The 33-year old surprisingly attempted more three-pointers than ever before in his career, with 6 per game.
The Sixers are locked and loaded to take on opposing teams next year…and Redick may be their most efficient weapon from downtown.
A veteran presence:
With such a young core, having a 33-year old to maintain a certain zen in the locker room when times get tough or the road takes an unexpected turn is key. We have all seen the effect a year of constant losing had on Jahlil Okafor, both on the court, walking off of it, and away from it. But with such a young group of players, it’s absolutely crucial to have at least one proven veteran who can help such an explosively talented group marinate.
The price:
While it’s not exactly a bargain deal, it could have been a lot worse. Redick was reported to have been longing for one last multi-year payday, so for the Sixers, luring him in with an upfront payment not only opens the option for a “prove-it” type contract, where if Redick can shine as he did last year and elevate those around him, he may be more willing to ask for less in exchange for an extended tenure with one of the most exciting teams in the league. The Sixers absolutely cannot afford to go crazy in free agency long-term. Short-term deals ensure that they have enough cap space to pay the new influx of talent by the time their eyes will turn to futures beyond their rookie contracts, while also bringing the much needed veteran presence and efficiency that may come in waves with a young group.
What do you make of the signing? Let us know in the comments below!
Mandatory Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing/ USA Today Sports
