Top 10 Philadelphia 76ers Players Heading Into 2016-17

9. PG Jerryd Bayless

Bayless was the first big splash in the Bryan Colangelo era, with the veteran signing a 3-year, $27 million deal to become the Sixers’ (likely) backup point guard behind Sergio Rodriguez for the time being. After a solid year in which he put up 10 points per contest off the bench in Milwaukee while upping his 3-point percentage to circa 44%, Bayless has established himself as the type of scoring spark that could bode very well alongside a ball-heavy facilitator like Ben Simmons.

There isn’t anything overly excited about Bayless’ game, but he understands how to get onto the court and put in the effort needed to impact a ball game. He’s a small player who won’t try to do too much with the basketball, but remains aggressive in looking for his own shot when lanes appear exploitable. Working off of Michael Carter-Williams and Giannis Antetokounmpo last season, Bayless also established himself as a consistent spot-up threat from deep, something the Sixers have lacked in the midst of Nik Stauskas‘ faltering tenure with the team.

He has an ability to play both on and off the ball that will work well alongside Simmons when they share the floor, and gives Brett Brown a nice boost of rotational flexibility if he pushes Bayless to the two spot from time to time.

This is a Sixers squad that has struggled to find any offensive rythym for some stretches during their rebuild, which is precisely why the Bayless signing made so much sense. He’s someone tailor made to come off the bench and find shots for both himself and teammates in stride and in rhythm. He’s confident stepping into pull-up jumpers and has a level of veteran savvy with the ball in his hands that Philly hasn’t had in recent years.

Bayless’ defensive tools aren’t all that impressive, but he certainly makes up for that will unyielding energy. He’s not going to shut down elite point guards, but he’ll get into the oppositions face and poke the ball loose from time to time, getting on the floor and out-hustling his opponent in most scenarios.

In terms of sixth men who can help stabilize the Sixers’ woeful perimeter offense, there weren’t many choices that fit as seamlessly as Bayless does on paper, and he’s someone that could help add a few more wins to their total as a result.

Next: 8. Rodriguez