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NBA Rumors: The Philadelphia 76ers Pursue Jordan Clarkson

By Bret Stuter

Apr 10, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) defends against Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) during the first half at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) defends against Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) during the first half at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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As NBA Rumors heat up for free agency, the Philadelphia 76ers may pursue signing Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Jordan Clarkson

Here it comes…the 2016 NBA free agency market. So far, there has been a great deal of bluster, but not much muster, when it comes to the Philadelphia 76ers chances of landing a top free agent.

That could change with a little tweaking of the free agency strategy.

The Philadelphia 76ers could rush into the free agent market with a fist full of cash and simply beg players to take it from them.  But there is another way.  The Philadelphia 76ers could parlay this year’s free agency to set themselves up for next year’s draft.

More from Free Agency

Right now, the Los Angeles Lakers have determined that they are potential players in the NBA free agency market.  The Lakers have been linked to former Atlanta Hawks center Al Horford as a possible landing spot for the free agent.    Los Angeles has also been linked to Miami Heat’s big man Hassan Whiteside.  The Lakers even hold out hope for a face to face with premier free agent Kevin Durant.

But they have one of their own to sign, shooting guard Jordan Clarkson.  As it stands, Clarkson is the ideal guard prospect for the Philadelphia 76ers own needs.  He is a two year veteran, has averaged minutes per game, can play off the ball or running the offense, can score – he put up 15.5 points per game in the 2015-2016 season, has a nice free throw shot at 81.5 percent accuracy, and he can sink a trey.

The fit is so sound, that even ESPN has talked about it.

So if it happens, the Philadelphia 76ers sign Clarkson, they have a veteran guard who can immediately set up as the point guard alongside Ben Simmons and play off the ball.  And alternatively, he can take minutes running the offense.

But if the Sixers make a huge offer which the Los Angeles Lakers choose to match, they commit valuable cap dollars, entrenching them as a rebuilding team for the 2016-2017 season, and adding extreme value to the first round pick in 2017 which falls to the Philadelphia 76ers if if slides to four or later.

There are only a handful of free agents this year who meet the age and the production to be a true impact player signing for the Philadelphia 76ers.  Jordan Clarkson has been a productive guard for the Lakers despite that team’s struggles of late.  I believe that production will translate very well in an offense that boasts Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.

Next: Grading Sixer Sense Mock 2016 NBA Draft Board

If I’m right, the 76ers have another piece to the puzzle.  If I’m wrong, the 76ers have weakened a team whose draft pick value would rise, only benefiting the 76ers in the long run.

This is one situation where it truly is a win win no matter how it turns out.