June 30, 2017
In his NBA free agency preview piece for ESPN, Zach Lowe reported a free-agent strategy for the Sixers. It sounds like Bryan Colangelo and the front office are looking to stick to one-year contracts for free agents. That won’t land them J.J. Redick, who has been linked to the Sixers in free agency rumors seemingly forever:
The Lakers are biding their time. The Sixers have told agents they will seek one-year deals this summer to preserve future space -- and possibly use some of their current room to extend Robert Covington. The one-year gambit will be a hard sell for high-profile guys. J.J. Redick didn't wait this long to sign a one-year deal at age 33.
“Two years or less” was the strategy I argued for the other day, so one-year deals are fine. You’re going to rule out some of the better free agents (and anybody who is restricted) with that approach, but keeping long-term money off the books is what’s crucial for the Sixers and their young core.
If Redick is off the table, are there any unrestricted free agents who the Sixers could overwhelm with a one-year offer that fit the criteria of veteran guards/wings who can shoot and play off the ball? I can think of three that could possibly fit the bill:
• C.J. Miles: A rock-solid potential backup to Robert Covington at the 3, Miles can make shots (38 percent from three his last five seasons) and defend a few positions. He offers very little in terms of creation, but the Sixers aren’t exactly hurting in that department.
• Kyle Korver: The Andre Iguodala reunion in Philly was rumored earlier this week, but that won’t happen. What about his old running mate, though? Korver is one of the greatest shooters of all-time, and despite some struggles against the Warriors in the finals, he’s still incredible in that department. If Korver would be amenable to playing for a non-contender, the Sixers have enough young wings to the point where he wouldn’t have to play super-heavy minutes.
• Patty Mills: The fit was probably a bit better before Markelle Fultz came to Philly, but Mills is excellent at making catch-and-shoot threes. The Spurs-Brett Brown connection is there, and the Sixers certainly have recent experience making high-money, low-year offers to San Antonio players.
Would the Sixers be able to pry any of these players loose for only one year and a bunch of money? Maybe, maybe not, but these three guys would fit the direction they’re heading with their young core.
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