March 17, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings point guard Tyreke Evans (13) moves the ball up court against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

As we have seen this Sixers’ season horribly progress, we are also seeing the lack of quality depth this team has on this roster. In this first article of my free agency wishlist series, I am going to look at the point guard position, which is lacking. especially in the backup role.

For the Sixers in free agency, I think they should take a look at three potential point guards that could back-up Jrue Holiday or either supplant him moving to the shooting guard position. The first point guard that the Sixers should look at, and he should come on the cheap is Indiana Pacers point guard, D.J. Augustin. Augustin, will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and only made $3.5 million this season.

Here are Augustin’s stats this season:

Points per game: 4.8

Assists per game: 2.2

Rebounds per game: 1.2

Turnovers per game: 0.9

From those stats alone I would take a look at him, and give him at least a one year deal. He didn’t score a lot in Indiana because George Hill is starting, and Lance Stephenson is finally emerging into a nice young guard for the Pacers. With that being said, Augustin most likely won’t be back, and if he comes to the Sixers his numbers will increase.

The second point guard that the Sixers should take a look at this summer in free agency is Eric Maynor. Maynor can be a good backup point guard for the Sixers, and he has been a backup for Oklahoma City and now with Portland. Maynor’s salary this season is $2.3 million.

Here are Maynor’s stats this season:

Points per game: 4.3

Assists per game: 2.8

Rebounds per game: 0.8

Turnovers per game: 1.2

If you compare Maynor’s and Augustin’ stats they are very similar, but what concerns me the most is that Maynor turns the ball over more than Augustin. Maynor is doing all of this while averaging 14.7 minutes per game this season. If he could come in for 15 minutes per game to give Jrue Holiday a rest, then that just might help Jrue not to burn out at the end of the season as he currently is right now. Unlike Augustin, Maynor is a restricted free agent, so the Trailblazers can match any offer that the Sixers or any team makes for him.

Finally, the last point guard that I think the Sixers should pursue this summer is the hometown kid, Tyreke Evans. This one is the most unlikely of the bunch, but you never know, it could happen. The only way this happens is if the Sixers could move Evan Turner this summer, and then move Jrue Holiday to the shooting guard or putting Evans at the two guard. This possible backcourt for the Sixers really intrigues me, and hopefully they go after him.

Here are Evans’ stats this season:

Points per game: 15.6

Assists per game: 3.6

Rebounds per game: 4.6

Turnovers per game: 2.0

These are solid numbers, and would help the Sixers tremendously, but don’t be alarmed with this two turnovers per game because he plays almost 32 minutes per game. Evans is only making $5.2 million this season, but just like Maynor he is a restricted free agent so the Sacramento Kings can up the ante for Evans. If the Sixers can get one of these three point guards, I will be extremely satisfied with the Sixers’ backcourt situation going into next season.

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Sixers General Manager, Tony DiLeo, has said that the franchise still views Andrew Bynum as a long-term solution, and would like to sign the seven-footer to a contract extension this summer. At the same time, he has said the team is looking to stay in playoff contention this season, and they will look to make under the radar, if any moves to do so. With that being said, here is my wish list. It’s not just a wish list though, I have my reasons for thinking each would be a good fit.

Also, in order to determine each player’s production regardless of minutes, each player’s stats will be listed as per 48 minutes rather than per game. The only reason being I don’t find it fair to disregard a player’s production in his role, whether it be 10 minutes per night or 40.

1. Tyreke Evans, Sacramento Kings

It is well documented that Sacramento is willing to deal Tyreke Evans and/or DeMarcus Cousins. While Cousins is undoubtedly the more talented of the two, Evans is a better fit and more realistic for the Sixers. If Evans were to come to Philly, he would be coming back home first of all. The 6’6″ guard was born and raised in Chester, Pennsylvania before going to school in Memphis to play under John Calipari. Evans was drafted fourth overall in 2009, and won the Rookie of the Year award.

The Sixers lack of fire power on offense is no secret. The Pennsylvania native has the ability to get his own shot at any time, a skill that only Jrue Holiday and Nick Young possess on the current Sixers roster. Tyreke averages over 23 points and 7 rebounds per 48 minutes this season. 4th worse is where Holiday and company rank currently in the NBA in scoring, at just 93.3 points per game. Evans has shown glimpses of greatness throughout his career, but has yet to reach his full potential.

This seems like a great fit for both parties. Tyreke could come home to play, and possibly be helped by a change of scenery, and the Sixers could use the scoring punch either way. After talks of trading for Monta Ellis in back to back years, maybe this is the year they finally make a deal for a true scoring guard.

2. Lou Amundson, Minnesota Timberwolves

Lou Amundson has been linked to many rumors. There is a strong possibility that there will no longer be rumors come Friday though, when the team has to make a decision on whether to sign Chris Johnson and Mickael Gelabale. Amundson has produced for the Wolves when superstar Kevin Love went down to injury, and has an extremely attractive contract as of right now. Due to make less than a million dollars this year, for every 48 minutes, Amundson has averaged 9.5 points and 14 rebounds.

Thaddeus Young went down with a hamstring injury in Monday night’s game against Orlando. As of now, it looks like they will try to fill that starting power forward spot with a platoon of Spencer Hawes, LaVoy Allen, Arnett Moultrie, and according to Assistant Coach, Brian James, Damien Wilkins may even need to put in minutes at that spot. Why not offer Minnesota a future second round pick? You know what you’re going to get with Amundson. Rebounding, effort, and defense is what he’ll give you on the court night in and night out. For me, this is a no-brainer.

3. Eric Maynor, Oklahoma City Thunder

You’re never supposed to lose your job because of an injury, but that’s exactly what happened to Eric Maynor. After getting injured, Reggie Jackson stepped into his back-up point guard role behind Russell Westbrook and performed wonderfully. The Thunder just picked up Jackson’s option for next year this past summer, basically showing Maynor the door.

Tony DiLeo has asked about the availability of Maynor, and it’s no wonder why. The Sixers struggle mightily when All-Star point guard is off the court. Royal Ivey brings a defensive intensity that does lack at times this season, but other than shooting the three well this season, he offers next to nothing offensively. It’s a shame that Maynor has practically fallen out of Oklahoma City’s rotation because he’s been productive. Even this season, in very limited minutes, he is averaging 12 points and 9 assists every 48 minutes. Those are numbers the Sixers could use coming off the bench, and having a reliable point guard running the second unit can only mean good things for all the other role players.

Wild Card: Greg Oden, Free Agent

Before you say, “No way. We already have a seven-footer with knee problems.”, I will tell you that you are correct. Andrew Bynum has yet to step foot on the court this season, and all Sixer fans are getting impatient. I have one question for those of you that don’t think it would be worth a chance. Why not? What do they have to lose? Oden is just 24 years old, and has played just 82 games in 5 years as a pro. Honestly, I would be ecstatic if the Sixers tried to bring in the former number-one overall pick. The potential is unlimited. In 2008, Oden was taken before Kevin Durant, arguably the best player in the NBA today, and nobody second guessed Portland. There’s a reason for that. He was a dominant force on the defensive end and on the glass in one year at Ohio State. 

While his knees are definitely a question, there is certainly hope. Players such as Jason Kidd, John Stockton, Chris Webber, and Tracy McGrady have all come back from the microfracture surgery Oden underwent without ever missing a beat. He has been working out in Columbus, Ohio while taking classes at Ohio State again, and says he’s healthy. With Andrew Bynum still out, wouldn’t you want to see the Sixers take a chance on a guy that has the potential to be a perennial All-Star? Injury history or not, if my options are Greg Oden or Kwame Brown, not a single doubt runs through my mind. I’m going with Oden.