Jerryd Bayless is one of the league’s better third-string point guards

With the addition of Markelle Fultz, the Philadelphia 76ers have some of the league’s better depth at the point guard spot.

Markelle Fultz is the Philadelphia 76ers‘ starting point. That much is undebatable. When you go beyond Fultz, however, the remainder of Brett Brown’s rotation — namely at the point guard spot — remains undetermined. Jerryd Bayless still has two years left on his contract, while T.J. McConnell showed out in the starting role during the second half of last season.

Philadelphia 76ers

There’s plenty of debate left, both amongst fans and the coaching staff, before a final decision is made regarding Fultz’s regular backup. But when you consider the context, McConnell — who’s cheaper and arguably less talented — is still the likely frontrunner in that discussion. The former undrafted free agent has become a focal point in the locker room, while his defensive hustle was contagious during the Sixers’ most successful runs last season.

That would make Bayless, who appeared in just three games last season due to a nagging wrist injury, the Sixers’ third-string point guard. He still has two years and circa $18 million left on his contract, which in and of itself is abnormal for a tertiary option at any position.

When you turn to the statistical production, however, even the counting stats put Bayless on a level that most end-of-rotation players aren’t. He averaged 12.9 points per game as the main reserve for Milwaukee during the 2015-16 campaign, a scoring total that actually lies on the lower end of the spectrum in terms of his career marks.

He did that while hitting threes at one of the highest clips in the league, knocking down 43.7 percent of his 5.5 attempts per game. That’s impressive efficiency that’s made even more impressive when considering the deficiencies in the Bucks’ offense that season.

That mark falls well above his career average of 36.6 percent, but his last few seasons have all seen steady increases. As his role changes with age, Bayless is become more perimeter-oriented as a shooter, rather than relying on his isolation and off-the-dribble game in heavy doses. That 2015-16 campaign marked the lowest usage rate of Bayless’ career — a correlation that can’t be attributed to coincidence.

Bayless will be forced into a similar role with more talent around him next season. His playing time may actually see a slight decline, while the majority of his offense would come on spot-up opportunities and different actions revolving around the Sixers’ core.

McConnell would be the main playmaker off the bench, while the remainder of the rotations would be centered around players like Ben Simmons and Fultz — both of whom can create for others at a high clip. That could even lead to Bayless spending some time as the de facto shooting guard. His role will be malleable.

Nonetheless, Bayless’ presence gives the Sixers depth that most teams don’t have — a stark departure from Philadelphia’s talent-deprived years during The Process’ initial stage. An elite shooter who can still create for others typically has a more defined role, while Bayless’ status as one of the team’s few veterans would also lead to a larger role in many cases.

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The Sixers’ younger talent, however, makes Bayless an extremity more so than a necessity. He’s a luxury that they can still afford, and somebody who provides more than capable insurance in a second unit that’s quickly making it’s way towards the top of the Eastern Conference.