J.J. Redick’s value extends beyond his on-court production
Barring a big free agent signing, retaining J.J. Redick should be a priority for the Philadelphia 76ers.
After a rough end to the season, the Philadelphia 76ers now face the biggest summer in recent memory, if not franchise history. They have two generational talents in Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, but the roster needs significant work in order to compete for a title moving forward.
One of their biggest offseason decisions will be the J.J. Redick situation. Free agents like LeBron James and Paul George will top the priority list, but Redick was one of the Sixers’ most valuable pieces last season. He lived up to the $23 million contract.
Redick averaged a career-high 17.1 points per game at age 33, all while shooting over 42 percent from deep. His constant off-ball movement unlocked several different actions for Brett Brown’s offense. He spaced the floor for Embiid and gave Simmons a knockdown shooter who specializes in finding open space on the perimeter.
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That alone is enough to advocate for retaining Redick. The Sixers’ offense loses a lot of punch without Redick, regardless of who they sign in free agency. Redick’s contract situation might get sticky, but the Sixers should be looking to bring him back if at all possible (and within reason).
With that said, Redick would be easier to replace if his value was solely rooted in on-court production. It isn’t, though — the Sixers rely on Redick for so much more, starting with his leadership traits.
Before the season, Redick emphasized how excited he was to take on the role of mentor and team veteran. He lived up to the hype, giving the Sixers a steady hand on the court and keeping his composure off the court.
As the Sixers racked up wins, Redick was able to put things in perspective. In post-game interviews, he would reference previous experiences, often noting the need for a level-headed approach. The Sixers were brimming with potential, but Redick helped them avoid the complacency that most successful young teams fall victim to.
Scientifically false claims aside, Redick is a smart player whose experience brought much-needed balance to the Sixers’ locker room. Brett Brown has done a fantastic job building the Sixers’ culture from the ground up, but it’s tough to imagine them getting to where they currently are without Redick’s input.
It’s wildly apparent that Redick enjoyed his stay in Philly, and his personality is an excellent fit with the Sixers’ young core. That is just as important as his sweet-shooting presence at shooting guard.