NBA Free Agency: Philadelphia 76ers from Toronto Raptors?

Can Bryan Colangelo use his connection in free agency to attract Toronto Raptors to the Philadelphia 76ers?

Bryan Colangelo was once General Manager of the Toronto Raptors, and in the waning time he had remaining, he actually laid the foundation with the team of a roster which is now leading the playoff series with the Miami Heat 2-1.  That team is led by DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry, Jonas Valanciunas, and Terrance Ross, and many more. But many players on that roster arrived thanks to one Bryan Colangelo, the same Bryan Colangelo who is the new President of Basketball Operations for the Philadelphia 76ers.

We have covered the gamut of Colangelo’s personnel moves while with the Raptors: how he traded for Kyle Lowry, how he went against the fan expectation and drafted center Jonas Valanciunas, rather than a point guard, and how he signed Amir Johnson to a five year extension based on what the player WOULD produce for the team in a three part series of Bryan Colangelo’s track record while with the Toronto Raptors.

While this meant that many of the current contributors are part of the Toronto Raptor organization thanks to the efforts of Bryan Colangelo and staff he had hired, it also means that Bryan Colangelo has a unique perspective and opportunity to engage the Raptor free agents with clearer insights  than other NBA personnel chiefs.  With the Toronto Raptors enjoying some playoff success, you might think that to be a difficult task in prying away players from their team – much like the rumor now of  Atlanta Hawk point guard Jeff Teague being obtainable as the team attempts to add pieces to overcome the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs.

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So what is different in the case of the Toronto Raptors?  In the case of  the Hawks, they may trade surplus pieces to bolster areas of need.  With the Toronto Raptors, we are discussing the player’s perceived value in dealing with other NBA teams.  The more success the Raptors enjoy, the higher each player’s individual price tag will rise.   So how does that help the Philadelphia 76ers?  Two ways.

Next: Sixers Advantages In Free Agency

Sixers Advantages In Free Agency

We Are Loaded.  Seriously, we have as much free salary cap space as any NBA team for the time being.  No demand from one player can be too great for our payroll department, as long as the player is worth the money.  The only restriction with our initial fee agent selections this season will hinge on whether we believe the player is worth it.

You offer deals to familiar faces.  When you are forced into fundraising for some charitable activity, few of us actually try to market the stuff to strangers.  Instead, we take a sign-up sheet to work, or call up our family or friends, and ask if they want to buy anything.  When you are a free agent in the NBA, your agent likely does the same thing.  Toronto Raptor players agents will all be familiar with the do’s and don’ts of working with Colangelo, and will not hesitate to give him a call to gauge market interest – even if not hard selling their client as a possible player for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Toronto’s Strategy – The best place to start is our relative site in FanSided nation, Raptors Rapture.   Although dated back to October 2015, an article written by correspondent Greg Chow covered the needs of the Toronto Raptors heading into the 2016 off-season rather extensively.  Here’s what Greg had to say:

"I Hassan Whiteside – Signing him would make Jonas Valanciunas expendable if he can’t live up to his contract and provide the Raps with intensity and shot blocking at the center position. II – Jared Sullinger – Sullinger would be a huge upgrade on both ends of the court. He can shoot the long-ball, be a consistent double-double machine and he has tremendous foot speed for a guy his size. III. Nicolas Batum – Batum does a lot of things very well on the court. His skill set is one that would work well on any team. He can defend multiple positions, has an outside touch and doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective. IV – Bradley Beal – If the Wizards succeed in signing Kevin Durant, Beal will likely be looking elsewhere for his payday. The Raptors could potentially make him a top two scoring option with the chance of DeRozan not re-signing. Beal would automatically be a go-to option in the Raptors’ pick and roll heavy offence. V. Kevin Durant – The call to Kevin Durant would be the frequency of meetings against LeBron James, and the overall balance of the team"

So where does that leave the Philadelphia 76ers at? Let’s look at who will be available as free agents?

Next: Raptors Free Agents

Raptors Free Agents

Several names appear on the projected free agents lists of NBA teams.  Let’s pull off some names you may have seen.

25 year old small forward Terrence Ross is a three year veteran who is the epitome of highs and lows.  He once scored 51 points against the Los Angeles Clippers, while only averaging less than 10 points per game. His free agency might have been a curious matter in the NBA, but he signed a three year extension with the Raptors just before the midnight deadline.

Anthony Bennett was a former number one pick of the Cleveland Browns in the 2013 NBA draft. He has never panned out, and has since been assigned to the Torontot Raptors development league affiliate. He will likely offer no interest to the Sixers.

Unrestricted

Bismack Biyombo (P) – Bismack Biyombo is a 23 year old 4-year veteran center from Zaire. His game is more spot duty off the bench, but the Sixers have plenty of bodies to fill that role already on the roster

Jason Thompson – Yes, this is 6’11” 250 pound power forward Jason Thompson whom the Sixers had gotten in a trade with the Sacramento Kings, only to be traded off to the Golden State Warriors. Thompson was waived from the Warrriors, but was signed as bench depth for the Raptors.  The 76ers had no interest in Thompson when he was a Sixer – however briefly – so do not look for the team to show any interest now.

Next: The Colangelo and JJ

The Colangelo And JJ

James Johnson – Originally this forward came to the Raptors via Bryan Colangelo from the Chicago Bulls for a late first round pick from the Miami Heat.  Johnson, a 6’9″ 250 pound forward, was brought to the Toronto Raptors due to his versatility:

"“James Johnson is a strong, athletic and versatile small forward that we have had our eye on dating back to the 2009 NBA draft. He can play two, three, four, whatever you need him to play. He’s a versatile player. I think he’ll fit in well. You never know. It could work out great for him and be a great pick up for us. We hope so . . . ” – Bryan Colangelo announcing the trade"

Johnson never delivered the goods for a starter, and was subsequently dealt to the Sacramento Kings for a second round pick. He returned to the Raptors on a two-year $5 Million deal but his second run is no more successful than the first. He does not deliver much in terms of offense, averaging 6.5 points per game on just 18.3 minutes of play. But, he knows the two, three, and four roles and is deeply competitive.  Clearly, Bryan Colangelo thought enough of the young man to trade a first round pick for him at one time, and with his availability for a likely in expensive price, he could be brought in to bridge the wing roster while younger players develop.   His play would be well suited for a Sixers bench which could be loaded with defensive players like Nerlens Noel, Jerami Grant, and more

Luis Scola – 6′ 9″ 240 pound power forward Luis Scola has been a Raptor for just one season, but he’s certainly a seasoned veteran.  Completing his ninth NBA season, he’s played the longest for the Houston Rocket, the team which drafted him late in the second round in 2002. Initially he played internationally, but returned to the Rockets in time for the 2007-2008 season.  While his average of 12.3 PPG and 4.3 RPGs on an average of 26 minutes per game, he never delivered near his averages as a Raptor.  The Sixers have better options.

Next: The North Star

The North Star

DeMar DeRozan (early termination option) – the crown jewel of the Toronto Raptors, who certainly is lining up in his mind for a max contract.  But will the Toronto Raptors deliver it?   Many believe that the Raptors will cough up the max deal out of necessity.  In short, if not for their own – DeMar DeRozan – then for who?  While Toronto’s strategy is certainly to chase marquis talent, they struggle to do so based on that troublesome international challenge.  NBA players like to play warm and like to play comfortably.   Toronto – a true gorgeous city in it’s own right and one everyone should visit – has cold winters (when Basketball season is underway) and it’s inconvenient in terms of learning an entirely new currency, customs, and legal process.

Competition for the services of DeRozan is the Los Angeles Lakers. But they have struggled, are not competitive, and are banking on the NBA Draft (much like the post-Labron James Cleveland Cavaliers did when they got three of the four first picks in their lottery appearances) and on the talents of new and first time head coach Luke Walton.   Rather than await the development of their own, the team is rumored to be in the hunt for marquis players who could make the team relevant again.  The Lakers would not be a great site for DeRozan though, as their team will likely be heavy towards a rebuilding project that was delayed due to the retirement of Kobe Bryant.  Young players did not get as much playing time, which has forced the Lakers to contemplate jump starting the team if they can.

There will likely be other suitors for the young man’s services.  He’s young enough to play for many years, but seasoned enough to be a major contributor in the playoffs. Or will he? He has hit a rough patch in the road this post-season, enough of a patch to give pause for some of the enthusiasm to sign him to a max contract has subsided, for now. But DeRozan doesn’t worry.

"“You can’t let frustration get to you, at all. Can’t listen to what the outsiders got to say. You just can’t get caught up in that. You’ve got to stay positive,” DeRozan said. “It’s 2-2. We’ve got a great opportunity to go home and do what we can do.”"

If he continues to struggle, and the Raptors are shown the door, the mood of management may alter their philosophy. Will the pay max if they don’t see DeRozen lead the Raptors to victory in the playoffs? Probably, but there is another option for the shooting guard phenom.

Next: A Colangelo's Chance in Philly

A Colangelo’s Chance In Philly

But while the Philadelphia 76ers are not in the market of marquis, they just might be a dark horse for the north star DeRozan.  He’s remained a strong supporter of Colangelo, endorsing his candidacy for the New Jersey Nets general manager position and was quick to congratulate Bryan Colangelo’s arrival to the Philadelphia 76ers.

He didn’t stop there. He went on to say this after a game with the Sixers:

"“He really believed in me, had faith in me early on, For somebody to have that type of confidence in me that I didn’t know until I got here, it was definitely an honor. He was a great dude, a stand up dude. He is one of those guys you meet him the first time, it’s going to leave that lasting impression on you. He’s a genuine person outside of basketball, just him as a person, as a man. He was a stand-up person that was a human being that treated everybody the same. He put me in a position to help change my life, my family’s life. For somebody to do that to me, give me that type of opportunity, it means the world.” – DeMar DeRozan"

Bryan Colangelo would love nothing more than to attract a gem to solidify this team, and place a huge “Colangelo stamp” on the Sixers in the process. DeRozan is finishing his sixth year, plenty of time to play with the Philadelphia 76ers while the team is assembled. Clearly, the presence of two possible top five picks in this draft is not escaping his notice. DeRozan is also a shooting guard, one of the positions the Sixers have struggled to address with any success. DeRozan at the two gives the Sixers roster an entirely new perspective.  Paired with Okafor, Embiid, Saric, and conceivably Simmons, the team would not only score heavy on offense, but the team’s bench would be one of the most impressive in the NBA.

Next: Sam Hinkie and The Process Received Three Executive of the Year Votes

It may be a long shot, but that is why the Sixers hired Bryan Colangelo.  DeMar DeRozan plays hard, and is an excellent fit for the Sixers moving forward.  There is no doubt the Sixers can pay, there is no doubt that Bryan Colangelo WILL pay, the only variable will be to encourage DeMar DeRozan to consider the Philadelphia 76ers.   I think it could work if he gives Philly a chance.