The Philadelphia 76ers have a big offseason ahead of them. Free agency could be a huge roster shaper, and they could offer Bradley Beal the max.
In the evolving world of NBA economics, a new question emerges for the Philadelphia 76ers as it relates to every promising player and contributor with immense upside in the NBA. It is the conundrum of the max contract.
Is Bradley Beal worth offering a max offer sheet in the offseason for the Sixers? Should they?
To pay or not to pay? That is the $23 million dollar question. Apparently, it’s Bradley Beal’s turn to deal with that question. In a report from The Washington Post, Bradley Beal said:
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"“I want to be valued the right way,” Beal, 22, said from Japan, where he visited as part of a promotional tour for the NBA and attended a playoff viewing party with fans. “I feel like I’m a max player and that’s what I’m looking for. If Washington can’t meet that requirement then I may be thinking elsewhere. I’m pretty sure that they probably won’t [let me go]. At the end of the day, that’s where I want to be. I think a deal will probably get done but you just never know.”"
It’s clear he wants to be a Washington Wizard, but it’s also clear that if the Wizards don’t offer the right price, then he may walk away from the team. Last month, Colangelo said the team would continue to have a measured approach when it comes to building the team. But he also mentioned that the team would be changing its focus to winning now.
What a better way to sign Beal away from Washington. The starting price is $23 million, so is he worth it?
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/23/2016.
The 2015-16 season was supposed to be the year Beal took that next step as a player. The statistics above from his season show mixed results. He shot 38 percent from beyond the arc, which was the lowest since he came into the league in 2012. He shot a disappointing 76.7 percent from the free-throw line, which isn’t all that bad, but a shooter with great touch like himself should shoot a higher a percentage. 76.7 percent was a career-low for Beal.
Another key statistic to look at is games played. Beal posted a career-low in games played (55) and games started (35), which is concerning for NBA teams. If the Sixers offer him a max contract they need to observant of his injury woes. Beal benefitted serving as the primary scorer off the bench and playing against opposing team’s second units.
If Beal can stay healthy, and become a player who is reliable each night for 36 or more minutes, then he can be a player the Sixers could use:
Bradley Beal Per 36 Minutes
On the defensive side of the floor, however, Beal’s defense was below average and at times was average at best. As several shooting guards had big games against the Wizards. According to Hoopsstats.com, opposing shooting guards averaged 21.2 points per game against Washington, which is 19th in the league. The Wizards as a team stopped playing defense this season compared to last season, so the blame shouldn’t fully be on Beal. But defense is an area he needs improve on next season if he gets a max deal.
Individually, Beal got worse on defense with a rating of 108 in 2015-16. For those new to the rating system, defensive rating is an estimate of points allowed per 100 possessions:
Has Beal proved enough on the court that he deserves a maximum-level deal starting at $23 million? It could go either direction. But with the salary cap soaring through the roof top, a team has to throw everything they know about free agency out the window. Someone will take a shot in the dark on him based on the potential of what the guy could produce if he actually stayed healthy for full season.
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Free agency is looming for the Sixers and the NBA, and it’s all probably guaranteed that Beal will get a maximum deal either with Washington or somewhere else such as Philadelphia. On the court, Beal has shown that he can be a star offensively when he’s not dealing with injuries. Colangelo should take a chance on him. After all, the Sixers need desperate help at the shooting-guard position.