Let’s just pretend that the Josh Harris and company plan to spend the same amount as 2012-2013. The Sixers spent approximately $65 million on player salaries, thanks in large part to Andrew Bynum’s $17 million. $65 million is a pretty solid number for new general manager Sam Hinkie to work with while staying under the luxury tax, placed at roughly $70 million.

If Bynum is not in Philly next year, the Sixers now have almost $25 million to spend on draft picks, free agency, players acquired in trades, etc. If for no other reason than he is a hometown kid, the Sixers should strongly consider Tyreke Evans.

Feb 13, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Sacramento Kings point guard Tyreke Evans (13) makes a free throw during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Kings 123-100. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Evans comes from Chester, Pennsylvania, just a few miles outside of Philadelphia. The former rookie of the year has not gotten steadily worse in his four seasons as a pro. Regardless, the Sixers are in dire need of a wing scoring option, and if Evans provides anything, it is exactly that.

The Pennsylvania native can play either guard spot and do a little bit of everything. Over his four year career, Evans averages 17.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. He increased both his shooting percentage and three-point shooting to career-highs. Evans shot 47.8% from the field this past season for the Kings, an entire 2% hire than any year previously. He also shot 33.8% from deep, which was good for a drastic 13% upgrade from his 2011-2012 campaign.

Evans is an unrestricted free agent as of July 1, and the Kings can match any offer that a team makes. However, with Isaiah Thomas emerging as a potential All-Star talent, the fourth-year guard may be expendable. If the Sixers can muster up enough assets, the Kings may be willing to deal. For instance, an Evan Turner and Jason Richardson for Tyreke Evans works financially and makes sense for both teams. Turner, despite what Philly fans believe, has potential and is a quality trade asset. Richardson, while coming off knee surgery, is a deadly long-range shooter that can offer veteran leadership to a young team as well as an expiring contract.

Sam Hinkie said in his first press conference as the new Sixers’ general manager that he likes taking educated risks. All signs point to this being an educated risk. There has been ongoing talks over the past couple of seasons that Evans may join the Sixers. There was talk at this past season’s trade deadline. Regardless, if comes down to Sam Hinkie, if he is willing to make this offer then I think Sacramento would have to strongly consider it. Otherwise, they run the risk of losing him from nothing after next year or if another team offers him something that they don’t feel he is worth.

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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