In the midst of constructing their new roster, the Sixers find themselves shopping in the bargain bin. Here are five inexpensive options for the team.
The NBA free agency period has moved at a break-neck pace thus far. A flurry of moves were made official around the league only minutes after the official 6 p.m ET start time of the free agency period. In a flash, most of the prized players on the market inked new deals.
Former all-stars Kawhi Leonard, Chris Paul, Demar Derozan, and Kyle Lowry all enjoyed a brief stint as free agents and signed new contracts within 48 hours of the start of free agency. The Sixers weren’t serious bidders for any of the aforementioned players except for maybe Lowry, but even that was a longshot.
Still, even though the team didn’t plan on pursuing them, the top half of the free-agent market swiftly flying off the shelf impacts the Sixers. Now with even fewer options in a fairly weak free-agent class, expect Daryl Morey and the Sixers to explore all options as they try to extract value from the remaining market.
Here are five low-cost free-agent options that could make a positive impact on next year’s Sixers squad.
James Ennis
All homecoming speech aside, a reunion between James Ennis and the Sixers makes a lot of sense. Ennis, 31, is a very capable 3-and-D player. The veteran sharpshooter shot a blistering-hot 43% from deep last season, the third-highest mark of his seven-year career. Additionally, nearly 40% of his total points were scored via three-pointers last season.
Ennis knows his role and excels at it at times. He would be a solid bench option for Philly and one they wouldn’t have to break the bank over.
DeMarcus Cousins
Even with this week’s signing of Andre Drummond, the Sixers should still kick the tires on DeMarcus Cousins.
For starters, you can never have too much insurance behind Joel Embiid. The Sixers star has notably battled injuries throughout his career so loading up on talented bigs is not a bad option for Philly.
Secondly, despite being much more immobile than his former self, Cousins is still a very capable big NBA center. Rim protection still isn’t his strength, but the former Sacramento Kings star can score in a variety of ways.
He is still a force around the rim and has as smooth a shooting stroke as you will find in a player his size.
In my opinion, Boogie would even be a better option to backup Embiid than Drummond. Hopefully, the Sixers pounce on the former all-star while he can still be had.
Frank Kaminsky
Yes, another big man target. I don’t hate Andre Drummond, I promise. I just think better options are lingering around on the market that should interest Philly. Enter Frank Kaminsky.
Kaminsky has carved out a nice career for himself since being drafted ninth overall in 2015. A former Wisconsin star, Kaminsky’s offensive-oriented game has translated well to the pros. He doesn’t blow anyone away with his athleticism or physicality, but he finds a way to produce for his team.
The 7-footer is a marksman from downtown and would be a massive upgrade over last year’s Sixers reserve big man Mike Scott. Unlike Scott, Kaminsky can actually fulfill the role of a stretch big and would give Doc Rivers the type of bench weapon not currently hosted on the roster.
JJ Redick
Redick isn’t the electric sharpshooter he once was, but the veteran wing could still draw interest from his former team. In Philly, Redick displayed excellent chemistry with Sixers star Joel Embiid and played meaningful minutes on one of the best Philly basketball squads in franchise history.
Injuries have slowed him since his last stint in Philly, but Redick likely still has enough in the tank for at least another year. At worst, he’d be a potential spark plug bench option that could get hot in a hurry. And he’d likely do so for the vet minimum. It could be worth a flier to help fill out the roster.
Avery Bradley
It seems like the Sixers and veteran guard Danny Green are headed towards a split. If that is the case, Avery Bradley makes sense as a veteran target for Philly.
A longtime defensive specialist, Bradley, like Green, could help mentor the Sixers younger players and help improve their defensive technique. In addition to mentorship, Bradley could help lock down the perimeter alongside budding star Matisse Thybulle in Doc Rivers’ second unit. For pennies on the dollar, Bradley is worth a look for the Sixers.
