With the brunt of free agency over, and the 2016 NBA Draft in the books, it’s time to give the Philadelphia 76ers a comprehensive grade for the off-season effort
A month ago, we took the time to list out the Philadelphia 76ers team needs. The 2015-2016 was, in many way, an experiment of sorts. The team searched for the right players, the right combination of players, who should start and who played better off the bench. In the end, the team had little success on a basketball court, but each player saw work – some with significant minutes – even in reserve roles.
So the season was not a failure when viewed towards the goal of inching the franchise closer to ultimate success.
While some would cite “everything” as an item for the team, we narrowed the search down to:
Veteran Point Guard, Shooting Guard, and Small Forward.
We didn’t just stop there. Since we are never at a loss for words, we sought true fixes for the team. Noting how well opposing team wings performed against the 76ers, we called for the team to fix the broken wing play on the team. We noted that the team would need a veteran point guard this season from day one. We also took note that the team needed to address the roster cohesion, not just seniority, in the off-season.
So let’s avoid the marquis headliner names and focus on whether the team actually addressed the needs that we identified. Using that as our measuring stick, let’s see how we’ve done:
Next: Simmons
NBA Draft: Point Forward Ben Simmons
It’s never an easy matter to select from a universe of options. The most difficult decision of the 2016 NBA Draft rested upon the shoulders of the Philadelphia 76ers and their selection with the first pick of the 2016 NBA Draft. With that pick, the Phildelphia 76er selected Ben Simmons, point forward from Louisianna State University.
They made a very wise decision.
Ben Simmons is not a shooter. He won’t put up 40 points on his first night in the NBA. In a league that judges a players contribution on a weighted scale of 50 percent points per game, Simmons doesn’t really have much of a chance of winning NBA rookie of the year.
But he will be the most valuable rookie to their NBA team regardless.
We focused on rebounds as a contributing factor to the Philadelphia 76ers struggles last season. In that article, we summized that the Philadelphia 76ers losing the battle at the boards contributed to losing games.
Ben Simmons is a natural rebounder. In fact, in just two games, he has already established his rebounding forte’ as a tangible asset that he brings to the team. But his most significant skill is his circus like passes from virtually all angles that end up on the mark.
The only drawback so far? He gets the ball to the shooter, but the shooter doesn’t always hit the clean shot. As he is rolled into the Philadelphia 76ers starting line-up, the team will have incredible scoring opportunities formed just from that ability alone.
Areas Addressed by Transaction: Point Guard, Cohesion, Rebounds, Defense
Tranasaction Grade: A+ – not only did team select player with highest potential, they selected a player who will contribute to quality of overall team.
Next: TLC
NBA Draft:Shooting Guard Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot
With the 24th pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers selected shooting guard Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot from Mega Leks, Euroleague.
While the Philadelphia 76ers were rumored to be trying to scale the NBA draft mountain to return to the top five to draft a point guard, they may have found somebody with far more long term value to the team. You see, Luwawu was a steal at 24.
The team needed competition at the wings, and in Luwawu, they have found an immensely motivated, fearless, and competitive young man.
Luwawu is raw, but his athleticism and charisma will make him a favorite of the fans. He’s blessed with shooter’s myopia. Despite a streak of 0 for whatever, if the ball is in his hands, he will not hesitate to shoot. At the wing, players must play through slumps (ala Nick Stauskas or Robert Covington). Luwawu will do so.
But he brings more. He has a lightning fast first step towards the basket, which will give him space to pop up for a clean jumper. He also excels at movement when the ball is not in his hands, giving him a perfect reason to be on the court alongside Ben Simmons.
Areas Addressed by Transaction: Wing, Perimeter Shooting, Rebounds, Defense, Offense
Tranasaction Grade: A – Nobody could have guessed the top rated “3 and D” prospect would fall out of the top ten, let alone to the 24th spot. He’ll start slow but he’ll break out his second year in the NBA.
Next: Korkmaz
NBA Draft: Shooting Guard Furkan Korkmaz
With the 26th pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers selected shooting guard Furkan Korkmaz from Anadalou Efes, Euroleague.
Furkan Korkmaz is another player who was projected for selection far earlier in the 2016 NBA Draft, and once more, the Philadelphia 76ers were in a perfect draft location to select him. Perhaps it was his age at 19, his limited playing time so far, or his current contract situation which requires nearly a $2 million buyout clause to realize his NBA appearance this year, but it was certainly not his athleticism.
Korkmaz has a long shot accuracy that will only improve as he matures. In 2015-2016, his three-point shooting came in at a very promising 44.3 percent accuracy. With another season with Anadalou Efes, the shooting guard could pump that number as high as 50 percent.
But the very reason other teams walked passed is the same reason he is so appealing to the Philadelphia 76ers. The team signed on short-term deals with veterans to bridge the team for the short term. When those contracts expire, the Sixers will be seeking new talent to add to the roster. Korkmaz’s situation is ideal for that need.
Korkmaz has a naturally high release with a textbook follow-through. He can play the catch-and-shoot scenario and has a nice pop-up when he shoots. . He has a complete offensive arsenal to go with a spot-up target, he shoots knocks down jumpers off escape dribbles, pump fakes and rhythm pull-ups around the arc.
He needs to bulk up to realize his true defensive potential.
Areas Addressed by Transaction: Wing, Perimeter Shooting, Future
Tranasaction Grade: B – Nobody could have guessed a coveted perimeter shooter would fall out of the lottery, let alone to the 26th spot. He’ll need a year or two overseas but he truly has a bright NBA future ahead of him
Next: Bayless
NBA Free Agency: Guard Jerryd Bayless
Jerryd Bayless was the first free agent signed by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016 and it was a well disciplined three-year $27 Million deal.
The initial free agent signing was important for two reasons: Bayless brings enough versatility to play as either that point guard with the ball, or off ball as a shooting guard, providing the 76ers with the flexibility to develop Ben Simmons in a point guard role at a natural pace.
Bayless has ties to 76ers President Bryan Colangelo from their Toronto Raptors’ days. He brings 10.4 points per game from 42.3 percent shooting from the field, and 43.7 percent shooting from the perimeter, along with 2.7 rebounds per game, and 3.1 assists per game on an average of 28.9 minutes. That compares with outgoing point guard Ish Smith‘s 14.7 points per game on 40.5 percent shooting from the floor and 33.6 percent shooting from beyond the arc, along with 4.3 rebounds per game, and 7.0 assists per game on an average of 32.4 minutes per game.
It’s that accuracy at the arc which is the most compelling element. Since Simmons can run the offense from the half court, Bayless will be tasked with sharing command, an aspect he can do very effectively. With the team adding Sergio Rodriguez and already boasting very underrated and improving T.J. McConnell.
Areas Addressed by Transaction: Point Guard, Perimeter Shooting, Wing, Defense, Veteran Leadership
Tranasaction Grade: B+ – With a versatile, inexpensive, and veteran guard as the opening signing, Jerryd Bayless takes a lot of pressure off the Philadelphia 76ers front office. His flexibility of playing either guard position , plus his promising perimeter shooting, makes him a very good signing.
Next: Rodriguez
NBA Free Agency: Point Guard Sergio Rodriguez
Sergio Rodriguez was the second signing by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016. Once more, the team addressed the back court, but in a far different way, with a far different style player.
Sergio Rodriguez comes to the Philadelphia 76ers via Real Madrid. While he adds a solid offense – He shoots 45.2 percent from the floor, with a 40.9 percent from the three-point range. He averages 10.9 points per game, 2.2 rebounds per game, 6.2 assists per game,
In the Euroleague playoffs, he scored a whopping 66.7% of his treys.
He was signed to a one year, $8 Million deal Rodriguez is the place holder for the development for Ben Simmons. While Bayless can play either guard position as well, Rodriguez specializes in a similar circus-style crisp passing attack that accelerates the offense and keeps defenders on their heels.
We did an in-depth analysis of the new point guard, and believe he will be a very positive factor in the locker room. While he is only one a one-year deal, this will give him the stage to showcase his NBA talents, as well as give time to the Philadelphia 76ers to develop both T.J. McConnell and Ben SImmons for next year.
Areas Addressed by Transaction: Point Guard, Perimeter Shooting, Defense, Ball Distribution, Veteran Leadership, Cohesion
Tranasaction Grade: B- – A very creative and ideal bridge for the 76ers at the point guard position. Rodriguez can run the starting or reserves with a similar “snap” passing which will simulate Simmons passes. Can he translate his game effectively in just one year?
Next: Henderson
NBA Free Agency: Shooting Guard Gerald Henderson
Gerald Henderson was the third signing by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016. In fact, he was one of the free agents we sorely hoped would come to the team.
Why the fuss?
He’s a native of the area, and he’s coming home. His recent run in the NBA is on a downturn, but there are solid reasons to expect a huge uptick in Henderson’s production.
Henderson had hip surgery in July 2015, which seemed to have affected Henderson early in the 2015-2016 season. Through Jan 2016, he was barely averaging over 7.0 points per game. But he found his groove as the season wore on, scoring season high 19 points twice in the latter months of the season. Throughout the season, despite playing reduced minutes, e continued to shoot accurately, draining 43.9 percent of his shots from the floor, and 35.3 percent of his treys.
His career averages of 11.5 points per game on 44.2 percent shooting from the floor, combined with 3.3 rebound per game and 1.9 assists per game on an average of 26.3 minutes per game will be a nice offset to the loss of Isaiah Canaan. Canaan delivered 11.0 points per game on 36 percent shooting from the floor and 36.3 percent of his treys, to go with 2.3 rebounds per game and 1.8 assists on an average of 25.5 minutes per game.
What Henderson truly delivers in bunches is defense, particularly on the perimeter. He will be the Philadelphia 76ers version of a shutdown corner. His ability to guard the opponent’s most productive scorer consistently is a skill the Philadelphia 76ers have truly longed for.
Perhaps the least valued, and most important attribute to Henderson is his fiery passion. He’s “Philly passionate” about the game, taking an almost “Dawkins like” emotional leader to his team when the chips are down. It’s that fire that was so very lacking from the team last year. Far too many games were too close to always seem to end up with the Philadelphia 76ers coming up short.
With Henderson on the court, the team wins those games this year.
Areas Addressed by Transaction: Shooting Guard, Perimeter Shooting, Defense, Cohesion, Veteran Leaderhip
Tranasaction Grade: A+ – Passion. It is the last missing ingredient, and in the signing of Henderson, the Philadelphia 76ers now have all the raw materials to build a champion. It will take time, but no ingredients are missing.
Next: Summary
Summary
Head Coach Brett Brown has a vision of “Space, Pace, and Pass” for this team. He now has an appropriate roster to deliver that vision to the basketball court, and in doing so, to the city of Philadelphia.
No element of this off-season were taken from a cookie cutter approach of adding a similar position or skill set to the roster multiple times. Each new player adds something vital, needed, and unique to this roster.
While there is no way to judge the results before events happen, I don’t think there can be any profound arguments at flawed logic or judgment at this point. When I have assessed this teams off-season transactions previously and seperately, I have been very pleased. Now, looking at each transaction individually and as a whole, I am even more impressed.
The core of this team, which we will discuss in an upcoming article, is about the young players on the roster. No NBA championship is won by free agency. And so with that knowledge, the team has done nothing to derail the train from the tracks that were laid by the previous general manager. The draft delivered a potential elite player and solid pieces. The salary cap freedom was used to sign bridge veterans who will help the team compete now, but also help to develop the young players on the roster to compete tomorrow.
Can you imagine how much benefit Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot will get by playing with Gerald Henderson? How incredible it will be for Sergio Rodriguez to mentor T.J. McConnell? Will Nik Stauskas find answers in working with Jerryd Bayless?
Next: Game Recap: Utah Jazz Vs. Philadelphia 76ers
We will see. But as we observe, take note that developing the roster suddenly is not longer the burden on Brett Brown’s plate. Now the team has veteran leadership in the front court and the back court.
Some say this team is no better than the 10-72 team from a year ago. I say just by having 15 players healthy at the season’s opener, the team is already far better. Right now, I believe this team is a 30 game winner. While that may not be huge, it’s a huge step of progress. If Joel Embiid can play consecutive games, or if the team finds early success, this team could even flirt with post season this year.