The Sixer Sense
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Sixers exercise club option on Robert Covington

By Christopher Kline

Mar 19, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) dribbles the ball as Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) defends during the fourth quarter of the game at the Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers won the game 105-99. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) dribbles the ball as Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) defends during the fourth quarter of the game at the Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers won the game 105-99. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Philadelphia 76ers have done the expected and exercised Robert Covington‘s club option.

According to a recent press release, the Philadelphia 76ers have exercised their club option on Robert Covington, extending the final year of his contract through next season while retaining ample flexibility in regards to how they proceed moving forward.

Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers /

Philadelphia 76ers

The 26-year-old swingman had arguably his best campaign to date last season, continuing his defensive growth while contributing across the spectrum for Philadelphia. He averaged a career-best 12.9 points per game while contributing one block and 1.9 steals per contest as well. For a Sixers squad that established itself as one of the league’s best defensive units during Joel Embiid’s time on the court, Covington proved to be one of the key pieces facilitating that success.

In many ways, one statistical accomplishment truly epitomizes the expansiveness of Covington’s impact for the Sixers — on both sides of the ball. When factoring out Embiid’s stats due to a lack of playing time, Robert Covington led the team in four of the five major statistical categories. Only a handful of players around the league accomplished that, all of which are bona fide superstars.

While Covington doesn’t produce spectacularly well in any given area offensively, he provides the type of serviceable rotational piece needed to help keep an offense in tact. He shot just 33.3 percent from deep last season — which actually dipped below his career average — but that was largely a factor a cold start to the campaign.

As the season rounded out, he had a handful of excellent shooting months in early months of 2017. He also finished well off of cuts, flowing through Brett Brown’s motion-filled offense and hitting at a 58.6 percent clip at the rim, according to Basketball-Reference. In a league that stresses  analytical basketball and maximized efficiency, Covington’s shot chart bodes well.

Related Story: Robert Covington should be a long term piece

The minutia of Covington’s deal is relatively simple. With the cap continuing to rise, his deal is among the most team-friendly in the league. He’ll only make $1.57 million next season. $53,500 will be guaranteed on August 9, while the rest becomes guaranteed on January 10, according to Derek Bodner.

The Sixers are essentially extending their window of opportunity here, as they’ll have the ability to extend Covington next season should they choose to do so.

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On a young roster that stresses defense, Covington has made it clear that he’s one of the most important cogs. There’s a good chance we see him stick in Philly for a few more seasons. He’ll also be making a lot more money in the process.