Philadelphia 76ers patiently found NBA talent
No other team in the NBA rummaged through the second round of the NBA Draft like the Philadelphia 76ers. And while the Sixers did so, they signed undrafted players to audition them on the NBA basketball court. After all, how else do players like Richaun Holmes, Jerami Grant, Robert Covington, or T.J. McConnell get a chance to play in the NBA.
There are three areas a team must have patience, and the Philadelphia 76ers organization, as a whole, displayed that patience in all areas. First, a team with no assets must display great patience amassing the salary cap and draft picks needed to conduct a true team rebuild. Secondly the organization must show great patience as the NBA team cycles through large numbers of players/prospects as they search for players who have “it”. That “it” is a niche role in a championship team. Finally, the organization must have incredible patience with young players as they develop, mature, and improve to NBA caliber play.
Why try to find role players?
But the ultimate question is … Why? Why work so hard to find role players? Well, the recent free agency spend-fest for the Philadelphia 76ers shows why. Shooting guard J.J. Redick commanded a $23 Million contract from the Philadelphia 76ers. Power Forward Amir Johnson commanded $11 Million. In the Philadelphia 76ers roster, they are two of the three most expensive players currently on the team. What about the other three? Well, Robert Covington is the third “most expensive” player. But both McConnell and Holmes play for $1.4 Million per year for the next two seasons. To win at championship level, teams need to find undervalued players and ride their production. The fourth player, Jerami Grant, earns $1.5 Million for the Oklahoma City Thunder.