The final installment of our divisional free agent rankings features the Southeast.
Free agency starts at midnight, with several big names hitting the market. We’ve already broken down the best free agents in every division, with this being our final installment. None of those big names are in the Southeast, but there are still multiple players the Philadelphia 76ers should look into.
No. 5: Mike Scott, Washignton Wizards
After his strong run with the Hawks ended due to off-court issues, Mike Scott rebounded nicely in Washington. He now hits the open market as a stretch-four who fits the modern NBA on both sides of the ball.
Strengths
Scott is coming off his best season since 2013-14, averaging 8.8 points per game in 18.5 minutes. He also shot 40.1 percent from deep, providing a reliable spot-up option next to John Wall and Bradley Beal.
In a league that preaches versatility, Scott’s ability to space the floor, attack closeouts and occasionally create his own shot makes him an ideal reserve in the frontcourt. He can also slide his feet and defend the perimeter, although he isn’t considered reliable on that end.
Weaknesses
Despite the defensive versatility that comes with an athlete of Scott’s ilk, he tends to underperform on that end. He’s more of an offensive spark plug off the bench, adding a scoring punch to the frontcourt. That’s the extent of his production. He has never averaged more than 19 minutes per game.
Fit
The Sixers need frontcourt depth and Scott could be an affordable option in the second unit. His shooting would fit nicely next to the current core, but there’s a chance that Jonah Bolden eclipses him in the rotation. Bolden can do many of the same things offensively, but is far superior on the defensive end.