Now that J.J. Redick is a part of the Philadelphia 76ers, the question head coach Brett Brown has to figure out is who will substitute for the sharpshooter.
The Philadelphia 76ers have had a very solid off season. It started with drafting Markelle Fultz first overall and followed up with signing one of the NBA’s best 3-point shooters in J.J. Redick. There is no question that Redick will be a part of the starting unit providing, leadership and spacing. The questions appear at the bench. Do not be mistaken, the Sixers have plenty of quality players that can come off the bench at shooting guard. With so many quality back ups, which player will be Redick’s relief becomes the challenge for head coach Brett Brown has to solve. Nik Stauskas, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Jerryd Bayless, and Justin Anderson have qualities that make them a candidate for the primary reserve for the shooting guard position.
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It is important to note that Furkan Korkmaz will not be in the running for primary backup because personally I believe that he will play most of the season with the Delaware 87ers.
Sauce
Nik Stauskas is the one player that was already on the Philadelphia 76ers prior to Redick’s arrival that most would have labeled as a shooter. Granted this past season would be the first that Stauskas would have any respectable shot from the arc.
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/8/2017.
Beyond shooting from 3-point shooting Stauskas has nothing serious to offer at this point in his career. Stauskas has improved in each year in the league it would be hard to believe that he would not in his fourth season, third with the Sixers. If Brown wants his second unit to mirror his first then Stauskas would be a fine choice as primary back up to Redick.
Related Story: Breaking down the Sixers' depth chart on the wing
The Frenchman
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot is the player that has the most potential out of the group of players on this list.
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/8/2017.
On the surface his rookie stats seem less than impressive. However, when comparing his stats starting versus coming off the bench it tells a completely different story. According to ESPN splits stats, when starting Luwawu-Cabarrot averaged 12.6 points; while shooting 42.9 percent from the floor and 33 percent from the arc, 3.7 rebounds, 2.1 assist and 0.9 steals. He is still only 22 with a long and lanky frame with plenty of potential. If Brown wants to continue to grow and develop Luwawu-Cabarrot’s game, then he should be Redick’s reserve.
The comboguard
Jerryd Bayless was supposed to be the answer at point guard last season next to Ben Simmons, as I thought so last summer. Due to Bayless having to battle for backup minutes against pure point guard T.J. McConnell all the while returning from injury, perhaps playing backup shooting guard maybe what is best for him.
| Season | Age | Tm | Pos | MP | FG% | 3P | 2P | eFG% | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-09 | 20 | POR | PG | 12.4 | .365 | .259 | .383 | .384 | .806 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 4.3 |
| 2009-10 | 21 | POR | SG | 17.6 | .414 | .315 | .437 | .444 | .831 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 8.5 |
| 2010-11 | 22 | NOH | PG | 13.5 | .347 | .214 | .400 | .378 | .765 | 1.4 | 2.5 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 4.5 |
| 2010-11 | 22 | TOR | PG | 22.5 | .429 | .348 | .461 | .479 | .810 | 2.5 | 4.0 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 10.0 |
| 2011-12 | 23 | TOR | PG | 22.7 | .424 | .423 | .424 | .504 | .852 | 2.1 | 3.8 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 1.7 | 2.3 | 11.4 |
| 2012-13 | 24 | MEM | PG | 22.1 | .419 | .353 | .450 | .476 | .836 | 2.2 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 8.7 |
| 2013-14 | 25 | MEM | PG | 21.0 | .377 | .301 | .417 | .429 | .789 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 2.3 | 8.1 |
| 2013-14 | 25 | BOS | PG | 25.3 | .418 | .395 | .430 | .485 | .803 | 2.1 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 1.5 | 2.2 | 10.1 |
| 2014-15 | 26 | MIL | PG | 22.3 | .426 | .308 | .462 | .462 | .883 | 2.7 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 7.8 |
| 2015-16 | 27 | MIL | SG | 28.9 | .423 | .437 | .408 | .539 | .778 | 2.7 | 3.1 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 10.4 |
| 2016-17 | 28 | PHI | PG | 23.7 | .344 | .400 | .333 | .375 | .900 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 1.3 | 11.0 |
| Career | 21.3 | .414 | .366 | .436 | .471 | .825 | 2.1 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 8.6 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/8/2017.
Related Story: Who gets more playing time, Bayless or McConnell?
Bayless only played a few games last season with the Philadelphia 76ers, so this season will be the real tell if he can fit with this young core. Bayless can play both guard positions and it is not crazy to believe that he could sub in for Redick. He would bring more playmaking at the position off the bench than any other players listed. He has the most experience as well with being in the league for almost a decade. He is a serious threat from downtown on top of that. Brown could want floor spacing and veteran leadership at the backup two position, then Bayless is the guy for job.
The defensive guy
Justin Anderson is not a guy to sleep on. He was a part of the of the Nerlens Noel trade to the Dallas Mavericks last season.
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/8/2017.
It may appear that Anderson is a wing that cannot shoot from outside, but does have rebounding skill. However, looking at more advance stats, Anderson is a solid defender. According Basketball-Reference, Anderson already has 2.2 defensive win shares in his short NBA career with limited minutes. Beyond rebounding and defense Anderson brought plenty of fire when playing with the Philadelphia 76ers. Anderson still has time to develop as well, so his 3-point shot may not a complete loss. Brown may decide that hey may want to go defense at shooting guard in the second unit and Anderson would be the best choice.
Next: Philadelphia 76ers: Okafor Is Untradeable At This Point
Head coach Brett Brown has a lot of choices to make in the upcoming months with back up shooting guard being just one of them. There is no doubt that Redick will hold down the fort with the starting unit. Each of these off guards have a unique attribute that makes them qualified to take over the primary reserve duty. It will be a few months before fans will figure out who it will be.