The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers NBA Free Agency Strategy: Big Pay Short Stay

By Bret Stuter

Jan 18, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Golden 1 Center. The Pacers defeated the Kings 106-100. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Golden 1 Center. The Pacers defeated the Kings 106-100. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Philadelphia 76ers have ascended to the point where NBA Free Agency is now a viable option. But can the team make a big pay short stay strategy work?

The Philadelphia 76ers are a playoff ready team. With Joel Embiid at center, and Ben Simmons running the floor, the Philadelphia 76ers are a far better team than the 2016-2017 version. In 2017, the team played 20-30 basketball without Simmons, Embiid, Jerryd Bayless, and a host of other short duration injuries. And the team found 20 wins despite the run to the playoffs. But the NBA Free Agency did not warm up to the Sixers last year. Players sought premiums, or simply used the team to leverage more money out of other teams.  Those players who did sign were often injured.

The team has carried injured players so far.  Joel Embiid sat for two seasons.  Ben Simmons sat for one. Even center Jahlil Okafor has only played 103 of 164 possible NBA games so far. Eventually contracts will need to be renewed. Players will star potential will want to be paid like the stars they are.

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    • Leaner Days Ahead

    The days of the salary surplus in Philadelphia is coming to a screeching halt folks.

    As of right now, the Philadelphia 76ers have just 13 players under contract for the 2017-2018 season, and just nine under contract for the 2018-2019 season.  That drop in roster next offseason is very significant.  Joel Embiid, Nik Stauskas, Robert Covington and Gerald Henderson will all be looking for new contracts.  Of the group, two are a must.

    So that places the Philadelphia 76ers into a bit of a tough spot.  Two roster spots will likely be filled by the five or six NBA Draft picks coming to the team this year. That is, if Bryan Colangelo is willing to remain one of the youngest teams in the NBA. If he turns towards free agency now, the team has a very specific course to navigate: Big Pay Short Stay

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    The Philadelphia 76ers roster so far has been constructed to compliment one another. From Ben Simmons, to Joel Embiid to Dario Saric to Nik Stauskas to Robert Covington to Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, each player has a specific set of functions to perform on this team.

    Versatility.  Defense.  Strong passing. Fast Paced. Good compliment of offensive shots.  Some players have specific strengths, others have more versatility. But this is finally a roster which is beginning to congeal into a winning club.  To add to this team’s long term success, the team has a one-year window to spend money: 2017-2018.

    That, unfortunately, cuts out multi year max contracts that so many fans love to buzz about. What does that leave for the team?

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    One year deals for a veteran who needs to reestablish themselves as one of the NBA premier players.  Think back to the one year $10 Million deal the Sacramento Kings inked to land point guard Rajon Rondo. That’s the kind of deal left to the Philadelphia 76ers.  Unfortunately, that sort of deal is the type that angers and frustrates the fanbase.

    Who Fits In Short Stay Big Pay Scenarios?

    Well, the first point is to contemplate who might fit in this category? Michael Carter Williams, Rudy Gay, Serge Ibaka, Derrick Rose, Dennis Schroder, Jrue Holiday are all names who come to mind. There are many more, but you get the drift.

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    But now for the most important part.  Short stay big pay contracts will only work if the veteran has no other offer. That means the player is completely out of favor with all other NBA teams.

    Jagged Little Pill

    Now do you see why the strategy is a jagged little pill for the fan base?  Would a veteran sign a one-year $12 million deal when he could choose a three-year $26 million deal instead? The “per year” comparison is not even close, but the player looks at the total value.

    So as you begin to learn of free agents, mutual interest, and cap space, keep these facts in mind:
    (1) Will that player be happy with a one-year deal?
    (2) If not, which current player on the roster will that player claim salary dollars from in the future?
    (3) Will they be willing to remain with the team at a reasonable price as the team improves?

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    When it’s all said and done, there is a pendulum that swings both ways. Whoever joins the team ultimately pushes someone off the team.  Whether it be that 15th roster spot, or the salary dollars earmarked for future contract signings, it’s a trade off.  And now that the Philadelphia 76ers are showing some roster balance, I’m hesitant to upset that balance on a johnny-come-lately player.