James Michael McAdoo gives Sixers some underrated value

The Philadelphia 76ers may have made one of the offseason’s better two-way contract additions in James Michael McAdoo.

Yesterday was the first time the Philadelphia 76ers delved into the two-way market, adding former Warriors big man James Michael McAdoo on a deal that will allow the team to switch him between the NBA and G-League on a frequent basis.

Philadelphia 76ers

There’s not much that jumps out when looking at McAdoo’s game. He doesn’t have one outlier skill, while his production has never been all that memorable. He was stuck towards the end of the bench for a Golden State team overflowing with veteran bigs, and that limited his ability to make a significant dent during the time he was on the floor.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t value, though. McAdoo was one of college basketball’s more productive bigs during his time at North Carolina, while his skill set is indicative of a five man who can carve out a niche in today’s basketball landscape. The Sixers don’t have a pressing need in the frontcourt, but injuries and future deals could open up some room for McAdoo to make his case.

At 6-foot-9, McAdoo’s 7-foot-2 wingspan helps make up for some of his height disadvantage at the five spot — where he’s best serviced in today’s league. He’s a solid athlete, switching screens defensively and boasting the mobility needed to keep pace with a league that hinges on constant movement.

Of all the bigs in Golden State, McAdoo was towards the end of the rotation due to talent — not fit. His prowess as a rim-runner, as well as his occasional foray beyond the arc, set him up for success once he got in the game. He’s an easy pick-and-roll partner for a player like Markelle Fultz, while his willingness to get out in transition could work well for a Sixers team that’s bound to up the pace next season.

McAdoo’s defensive pedigree gives him an immediate advantage over Jahlil Okafor — and he could very well be the better player as it currently stands. While size is an issue, his length and ability to get off the ground helps mitigate the concern. He’s aggressive when needed, and bothers shots at a high clip — even if shot blocking isn’t his foremost strength.

Defense is what McAdoo was known for with the Tar Heels, and the 24-year-old has shown flashes of it with Golden State. In a Sixers lineup that preaches defensive intensity, a more substantial role down the line could allow McAdoo to really shine in that respect.

Playing with the Warriors was, in many ways, a double-edged sword for McAdoo. He had the benefits of winning in a system that’s incredibly easy to play in, but it’s also difficult to gauge his long-term outlook as a result.

We don’t really know what McAdoo is outside of Golden State. He could be better in an expanded role, but there’s also a chance that he was a pure beneficiary of the Warriors’ overwhelming talent elsewhere on the court.

Strictly in terms of fit, a lot of what McAdoo did in Oakland should translate to Philadelphia. Brett Brown puts his players in motion a lot, and the five man is normally the root of many of those actions. Ben Simmons and Dario Saric can get out an run, while McAdoo has the defensive and rebounding energy needed to stand out above Okafor under the right circumstances.

Amir Johnson‘s role isn’t clear yet, and there’s no guarantee that we see much of McAdoo in a Sixers uniform next season. Regardless, however, there’s reason for optimism. He’s the type of player who profiles well in Philadelphia’s system, while his past resume is more than enough to warrant an opportunity.

Next: How Fultz fares against other top PG prospects

Not many two-way contract recipients have McAdoo’s experiences in their back pocket, neither as a member of a two-time championship winning team nor one of college’s foremost competitors in North Carolina. He’s more the worth the shot, and could be a legitimate step up as Alex Poythress‘ replacement.