NBA Free Agency: Who else are the Philadelphia 76ers targeting?
By Owen Nelson
After splashing the cash on J.J. Redick, the Philadelphia 76ers may not be done signing players. Here’s a few free agents who may be on the 76ers’ target list.
Taj Gibson
Taj Gibson would provide the 76ers with even more veteran presence and much needed experience to help guide this young, talented team. As reported by Darren Wolfson, the 76ers are “also interested” in signing former Oklahoma City Thunder big man. This would be an interesting fit, but with Amir Johnson agreeing to sign an $11 million contract, I can’t see this happening.
A power forward is not at the top of the Sixers’ needs since we already have Ben Simmons, Dario Saric, Richaun Holmes and now Amir Johnson on the team. I can’t really see where Gibson would fit into the lineup, so we may be in a position similar to last year where we had too many big men and not enough minutes to go around.
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Gibson certainly isn’t short of suitors. He could join a rebuilding team and earn a boat load of money or he could take a pay cut and going a playoff team. For example, the Minnesota Timberwolves would be a great opportunity for Gibson but he would need to lower his demands to make that happen. If he was to join the 76ers he could earn an annual salary of somewhere in the mid to high teens. This could be his last big pay check, he may look to cash in.
Ben McLemore
I’ve always liked Ben McLemore. I thought that if he landed in the right situation he could become a really solid player in this league. Unfortunately, the Sacramento Kings organization was the polar opposite of the right situation for a young player. In addition, McLemore needs regular, consistent playing time, with Furkan Korkmaz coming over and J.J. Redick going the team, I can’t see how McLemore will get consistent, meaningful minutes on the team. This is unfortunate as I’d love to see McLemore in a Sixers’ uniform.
The former Kansas star has a great deal of athleticism and scoring ability, I believe the potential is still there for him becoming something great in this league. One criticism of McLemore would be his defence, he could use a lot of work on that side of the ball.
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I don’t think McLemore would cost an absurd amount of money considering his lack of production in four seasons with the Kings, he would most definitely be worth the gamble, especially if the contract is below $10 million a season.
K.J. McDaniels
Maybe this is my love for ‘The Process’ creeping in but I’d absolutely love to see K.J. McDaniels back in a 76ers’ uniform. We has having an incredible rookie season for the 76ers back in 2014 but was traded mid-season to the Houston Rockets for Isaiah Canaan. It would be fitting to see an original member of ‘The Process’ having the ability to see it through.
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Upon being released by the Brooklyn Nets, McDaniels shouldn’t be asking for a whole lot of money. He may even take a contract in the region of $5 million with a team option or a low amount of guaranteed money. A ‘prove it’ contract would work best for the Clemson product as he would have a reason to battle everyday in training camp in hopes to lock down a roster spot.