Four Former Philadelphia 76ers Who Could Sign With The Team This Summer
The NBA 2017 free agency just a few months away. And so, the Philadelphia 76ers must consider former 76ers as a good fit for the young team.
The Philadelphia 76ers have constructed the team roster from young men. Finally, Philadelphia 76ers fans have been able to see the fruits of the team’s poor play. As the team nears 30 wins for the season, the possibility puts fans in great spirits. With the young core of Joel Embiid, Dario Saric, and Ben Simmons the Sixers have plenty of room to grow.
Part of growing in the NBA is having veterans being able to help guide the young team. In the past the team has relied on players like Gerald Henderson and Elton Brand. Brand in particular was a highly regarded former 76ers player. He returned to help the struggling franchise regain some locker room stability. President Bryan Colangelo could use a similar ploy and bring in several former Sixers to help grow this young team.
Why are former 76ers so important, would not any NBA veteran due?
Well yes and no.
Regular NBA veterans are good for leadership. But that multiplies with a veteran familiar with the franchise. A former players adds to the value from learning from veteran leadership. There are four former Sixers that could help the young team in particular.
Ersan Ilyasova
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Yes, the European stretch forward was not even with the Philadelphia 76ers a full season before he was traded. Yet his impact on the team was more than evident before and after he left the young team.
Ilyasova proved to be a valuable starter for the Sixers. He proved to be a great veteran leader for the team. He was a great mentor for first year European stud Dario Saric.
Second Verse Ersan
For most of Ilyasova’s time with the Sixers, Saric came in for relief of the veteran. After Ilyasova was traded Saric was able to boom in a starting role and according to ESPN Stats Splits, he has averaged, 18.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists post All-Star break.
If Colangelo can bring back Ilyasova he would be a nice bench player that can can provide scoring and rebounding. Referring back to ESPN Stats Splits, Ilyasova coming off the bench is averaging, 10.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assist per game this season. With his eighth season in the NBA ending in just a few weeks, he may be willing to take a pay cut in order to return to a potentially dangerous team in Philadelphia next season.
Spencer Hawes
Before you start laughing and think that I am crazy, think about adding the stretch five like this. Let’s go under the assumption that Jahlil Okafor will be traded at some point in the offseason and that Shawn Long will sadly not be given a contract extension.
If that ends up being the case, then the Philadelphia 76ers will actually be thin at the center position with only the injured phoneme in Joel Embiid and Richaun Holmes. Yes, the Sixers could fill this need in the draft, but there is no guarantee thata rookie would be ready to play if called upon. Embiid’s durability is questionable at best, the need for veteran center that can play spot minutes is necessary.
Second Verse Spencer
Hawes returning would help sure up the center position with a player that can space the floor with a 3-pointer and his solid rebounding.
| Season | Tm | Pos | G | GS | MP | FG% | 3P% | 2P% | eFG% | FT% | ORB | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-08 | SAC | C | 71 | 8 | 13.1 | .459 | .190 | .478 | .465 | .655 | 1.0 | 2.3 | 3.2 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 4.7 |
| 2008-09 | SAC | C | 77 | 51 | 29.3 | .466 | .348 | .486 | .491 | .662 | 1.9 | 5.2 | 7.1 | 1.9 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 2.1 | 3.2 | 11.4 |
| 2009-10 | SAC | C | 72 | 59 | 26.4 | .468 | .299 | .494 | .488 | .689 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 6.1 | 2.2 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 2.8 | 10.0 |
| 2010-11 | PHI | C | 81 | 81 | 21.2 | .465 | .243 | .480 | .473 | .534 | 1.6 | 4.1 | 5.7 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 2.5 | 7.2 |
| 2011-12 | PHI | C | 37 | 29 | 24.9 | .489 | .250 | .498 | .494 | .727 | 2.1 | 5.2 | 7.3 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 2.7 | 9.6 |
| 2012-13 | PHI | C | 82 | 40 | 27.2 | .464 | .356 | .477 | .483 | .777 | 2.1 | 5.1 | 7.2 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 2.8 | 11.0 |
| 2013-14 | TOT | C | 80 | 78 | 30.9 | .456 | .416 | .478 | .529 | .783 | 1.6 | 6.6 | 8.3 | 3.0 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 2.2 | 3.0 | 13.2 |
| 2013-14 | PHI | C | 53 | 53 | 31.4 | .451 | .399 | .478 | .520 | .782 | 1.7 | 6.9 | 8.5 | 3.3 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 2.2 | 2.9 | 13.0 |
| 2013-14 | CLE | C | 27 | 25 | 29.8 | .468 | .448 | .479 | .547 | .784 | 1.6 | 6.1 | 7.7 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.1 | 13.5 |
| 2014-15 | LAC | PF | 73 | 15 | 17.5 | .393 | .313 | .452 | .459 | .647 | 0.4 | 3.1 | 3.5 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 2.4 | 5.8 |
| 2015-16 | CHO | PF | 57 | 6 | 18.2 | .405 | .373 | .422 | .467 | .831 | 0.9 | 3.4 | 4.3 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 6.0 |
| 2016-17 | TOT | PF | 49 | 1 | 15.1 | .477 | .301 | .546 | .520 | .837 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 3.5 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 6.2 |
| 2016-17 | CHO | PF | 35 | 1 | 17.9 | .477 | .291 | .540 | .514 | .882 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 4.2 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 7.3 |
| 2016-17 | MIL | PF | 14 | 0 | 8.1 | .474 | .333 | .600 | .553 | .667 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 3.4 |
| Career | 679 | 368 | 22.8 | .457 | .350 | .482 | .490 | .714 | 1.5 | 4.2 | 5.7 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 2.5 | 8.7 | ||
| 4 seasons | PHI | 253 | 203 | 25.8 | .464 | .366 | .481 | .491 | .718 | 1.8 | 5.2 | 7.0 | 2.3 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 2.7 | 10.0 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/2/2017.
Versatile
He can play both center and stretch forward. Basic stats show he is not a defensive ace and that is ok. If he returns to the Sixers he would a third string center and with limited spot minutes, his defense would not be much of a detriment. His salary demands would not break the bank and he has already played for head coach Brett Brown before. In theory, he could be the best veteran option of the third string centers available for the 76ers.
Nick Young
Yes, Swaggy P himself could reunite with the Philadelphia 76ers. Known more for his off the court antics, Nick Young is still a savy veteran that can score with the best of them. On one hand, Young may not be able to defend which could hurt his chances of returning to the76ers. On the other hand, this young team needs scoring badly, which he can still do that at the age of 31.
| Season | Age | Tm | Pos | G | GS | MP | FG% | 3P% | 2P% | eFG% | FT% | ORB | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-13 | 27 | PHI | SG | 59 | 17 | 23.9 | .413 | .357 | .449 | .482 | .820 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 10.6 |
| 2016-17 | 31 | LAL | SG | 60 | 60 | 25.9 | .430 | .404 | .481 | .564 | .856 | 0.4 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 13.2 |
| Career | 636 | 193 | 23.6 | .419 | .376 | .445 | .490 | .835 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 12.0 | |||
| 4 seasons | LAL | 220 | 71 | 24.5 | .405 | .377 | .434 | .503 | .846 | 0.4 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 13.1 | ||
| 1 season | PHI | 59 | 17 | 23.9 | .413 | .357 | .449 | .482 | .820 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 10.6 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/2/2017.
In comparing his lone season with the Sixers and his current season with the struggling Los Angeles Lakers, it is plain to see he can still score very well. With his age, there is a chance his former franchise could tender a team friendly deal. Personality and defense is an issue however, he would be a great help in the offensive department for the Sixers.
Jrue Holiday
Recently I wrote an article about, Jrue Holiday Is A Bad Idea For The Philadelphia 76ers. In it I went into detail why the Philadelphia 76ers should not sign Holiday this summer. For those Holiday fans that really want him and the Sixers to reunite, do not fear. I did put a clause to where the Sixers could sign Holiday.
“Unless the Philadelphia 76ers get Holiday on a short term deal that is financially team friendly the franchise should not even look at him as an option.” -Lucas Johnson, The Sixer Sense
If Colangelo can convince Holiday to take that sort of contract then the two sides could be in business. A healthy Holiday would be a great distributor and scorer for the Sixers. There could be some conflicts with Ben Simmons on who will be ball dominant, but he would be a great asset for the starting unit and would help Simmons grow as a ball distributor.
Second Verse Jrue
Holiday should only be be considered if the Sixers do not draft a point guard in the draft this summer.
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Overall, save for Holiday, if any of these former Sixers return to the City of Brotherly Love they would have to take a pay cut and reduced role. Some of these players may be unwilling to do so, which is more than understandable. Fans will have to wait till the summer to see if any former players reunite with the Philadelphia 76ers.