As free agency approaches, the Sixers will be looking to add some players for the veteran minimum that could provide an impact for this team. With the front office focused on re-signing players like James Harden, Paul Reed, Georges Niang and Jalen McDaniels, the team won’t have a lot of money to spend to round out their roster. With championship aspirations, the Sixers will be looking for players who have the skill set to flourish on this roster, looking to play for a contender, and will not require a large salary.
With Shake Milton most likely bolting in free agency for more minutes and opportunity elsewhere, the 76ers will need to add some depth at the guard position behind Tyrese Maxey, De’Anthony Melton, and James Harden if he returns. Take a look at three guards the Sixers should pursue in free agency to add depth:
Patrick Beverley
The Sixers going after Pat Bev seems a few years too late but the Sixers could use more toughness and defense on their roster to help deal with the best perimeter players in the Eastern Conference. Beverley would provide some hustle, defense, and tenancy that seems to help all the teams he plays on. He seems like a Nick Nurse type of player and could reunite with his close friend James Harden, who affectionately calls “twin”.
Beverley would help the team defensively but offensively he would bring much to the table. He is a solid point guard who could help get the team into offense, but his shooting leaves a little to be desired. Nonetheless, Beverley would add one of the attributes needed on this team.
Reggie Jackson
Jackson won a championship with the Denver Nuggets after signing there after the Clippers traded him and he was bought out by the Charlotte Hornets. He wasn’t much of a contributor on the Nuggets and could be looking for a spot on a contender where he can provide a scoring punch off the bench. Jackson is a scoring guard, who has had a ton of success with Clippers the last few seasons, playing alongside Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. He averaged double digits the last three seasons in LA and averaged 16.8 ppg and 4.8 apg in 2021-22.
Jackson could give the Sixers a scoring point guard off the bench that has experience playing his role next to stars. He could play major minutes if Tyrese Maxey or James Harden had to miss games due to injury. He could provide what Shake Milton provided and the 76ers need guard depth with a 33-year-old James Harden possibly returning.
Damion Lee
Damion Lee is a 6’5 shooting guard, who averaged 8.2 ppg for the Phoenix Suns last season. He has developed into a solid movement shooter and shot over 44 percent from three last season. Lee started his career as a fringe NBA player and turned into a solid role player when given the opportunity. Lee fits with the Sixers because he is a bigger guard who would be able to guard wings and since he is a good shooter, he would be able to take advantage of all the open looks he could get from being on the court with Joel Embiid and possibly James Harden.
Lee’s three-point percentage could take a hit on more volume but the 76ers need more players with a willingness to have a quick trigger. Lee size and versatility could allow him to play off the bench and with Tyrese Maxey and James Harden. If Maxey were able to development his playmaking, adding another floor spacer could really help the Sixers instead of pursuing another ball handler.
