Christmas has come and gone for Philadelphia 76ers fans. The long-awaited Ben Simmons fiasco is finally over. The team landed the star it has been searching for for the last eight months.
James Harden is now a Sixer. Daryl Morey and the Sixers front office still need to improve the team’s roster.
It’s no secret rebounding has been an issue all season for the Sixers. The team will look to add rebounding help, but there’s another pressing need for Philly. One that’s a more difficult necessity to find in the buyout market. Bench scoring.
Goran Dragic
Let’s start with The Slovenian guard. Goran Dragic has agreed to a buyout with the San Antonio Spurs, per Shams Charania. Dragic has only played five games this year for the Raptors, but his ball-handling, passing, and shooting would help the Sixers’ second unit drastically.
For his career, Dragic averages nearly 14 points per game and nearly five assists per game for his career. Last season he averaged over 37 percent from deep. He can act as a catch-and-shoot threat, attack the rim, and has a high basketball IQ to find the best shot in each possession.
After the Harden trade, the Sixers should have one of Maxey or Harden on the floor at all times. Dragic may not be as big of a need, but it cannot hurt to add a guard who can play on and off the ball.
Gary Harris
The Orlando Magic are not in the playoff contention and may turn to its younger guards down the stretch.
Gary Harris is another wing player that can shoot above average from deep. In 50 games this season, the Magic guard is averaging over 11 points per game and shooting over 38 percent from deep on nearly five attempts per game.
Harris brings you more shooting from the outside. Harris is more than just a catch-and-shoot option; he is willing to put the ball on the floor at times to attack the rim.
Dennis Schröder
Schröder was traded to the Rockets on Thursday and does not fit the team’s identity of youth. He is not a great shooter, but he is only two seasons removed from a career-best nearly 39 percent from deep.
Dennis Schröder would give the Sixers a guard off the bench willing to attack the paint on every possession. While Schröder is not a perfect fit for the Sixers, he is averaging more than 14 points per game this season, with half of his games played coming off the bench.
Eric Bledsoe
The Trail Blazers’ guard can be waived this summer, saving the team over $15 million next season. Why wait until June when you can play your younger guards now.
Bledsoe, like Schroder, is not the best shooter. He would be able to add some scoring off the bench and would benefit from getting open looks created from Harden or Embiid. The former Kentucky guard averages nearly 14 points per game for his career.
He can also be used in lineups to defend guards on the opposing team. He is not an all-world defender, but he would take pressure off Harden on the defensive end.
