Philadelphia 76ers: Making the case for/against re-signing each free agent
J.J. Redick
Statistically, Redick just completed the best year of his career, featuring an 18.1 scoring average plus his rebounding and assists were above his career average. Defense is not really his thing, but when Brett Brown had him stop switching, he was able to hold his own. Heck, against Brooklyn he helped shut down Joe Harris, the top three-point shooter in the NBA this past season.
On a team desperate for outside shooting, Redick always had the green light and, when he is on, the Sixers are virtually unbeatable.
Opponents know this, as Toronto was obsessed with making sure he did not get any uncontested shots.
The negative is that Redick will be 35 years old when training camp begins. He takes very good care of himself but how much longer can he stave off Father Time?
More. 3 players that shouldn't re-sign. light
Do the Sixers want him?
Of course they do. He is one of the best outside shooters of this era and keeps double teams off of Embiid. He is also a good locker room influence and a respected veteran. The problem is, he won’t come cheap and if Butler and Harris return they might not have enough salary cap space to re-sign him.
Would other NBA teams have any interest and how much would Sixers pay to keep him?
Yes, but at what price is the big question. Redick can shoot, but that is about it. He is not a particularly good passer, rebounder or defender. He got paid $12.5 million last year after pulling down an eye-popping $23 million the year before, when the Sixers had cap space to burn. Before the Sixers, no one paid him more than $7.3 million a season.
How much will an NBA team pay for a 35-year-old one-trick pony (even though the trick is high-prized)?
Final answer: Redick lives in Brooklyn and, with the Sixers practicing in Camden, can basically commute to work. That, as well as having made tons of money in his career, the Sixers paying great gobs of money to him the last two years should factor into his decision. But Redick is a proud man, he won’t come for a veteran’s minimum. If Butler and Harris do not re-sign, Redick is a lock to return with all the cap space the Sixers will have. If both come back on max contracts, it will get tricky and might depend on what other offers Redick will have.