Philadelphia 76ers: Cost efficient frontcourt options in free agency

Who should the Philadelphia 76ers target for frontcourt help in free agency?

Following the unforeseen conclusion of the 2018-19 NBA season, the onslaught of offseason extracurriculars in Philadelphia ensued. With the 2019 NBA Draft now complete, July is shaping up to be an integral month in regards to the Philadelphia 76ers‘ forthcoming success.

The Philadelphia organization, throughout the duration of the postseason, seemed to have solidified their core and remain determined to retain both Tobias Harris and Jimmy Butler. Regardless of the outcome between Philadelphia and their two potential max contract clients, the team will enter the free agent period with a mere four players under contract for next season.

The Sixers held five picks in the draft, but ended the night with just two new rookies. Although there is a multitude of combinations that Philadelphia can explore to potentially expedite a championship, a plethora of cost efficient yet highly coveted free agents can provide the Sixers with immediate aid.

Kyle O’Quinn

O’Quinn, the seven-year veteran, concluded the most recent season having played less than 50 games with Indiana. O’Quinn experienced a significant statistical digression largely due to an overpopulated frontcourt composed of youthful talent.

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Prior to O’Quinn’s presumably only season as a Pacer, the 6-foot-10 center contributed over two Offensive Win Shares and nearly over two Defensive Win Shares in consecutive seasons, posting a combined 58.85 true shooting percentage across those two years (2016-18). Despite O’Quinn being relegated to an almost unforgotten role (9.1 minutes per game), he was 1.0 percent shy of tying his career-high long distance mid-range filed goal percentage (53.0 percent) and set a career-high 81.0 percent free-throw percentage.

O’Quinn is not much of a consistent offensive threat, scoring south of 10 points per game in each of his seven seasons, but his stature and rebounding presence is in demand. Most recently, O’Quinn earned $4.45 Million from Indiana on a one-year contract and his salary will not grow immense any time soon. Though the 29-year-old provides no relief spacing the floor, he is menacing defensively and owns minimal injury history.

Marcus Morris 

Contrary to O’Quinn, Morris, a 6-foot-9 hybrid forward, possess a polished offensive skill set. Morris took 35.0 percent of his three-point attempts around the wings and at the top of the key and converted 42.0 percent of them. Altogether, Morris posted a 37.5 three-point percentage, marking the sixth time he has shot over 35.0 percent from beyond the arc in eight total seasons. Over the course of Morris’ previous four seasons he is scoring an average of 13.9 points per game on 53.7% true shooting while collecting an average of 5.3 rebounds per contest (career-high 6.1 rebounds per game in 2018-19).

Morris’ athleticism and toughness allows him to defend numerous positions and he often prompts mismatches with his offensive arsenal. Morris scored an average of 4.1 points in the paint last season, additionally shooting 40.2 percent on catch and shoot opportunities and 48.0 percent from the field with the closest defender giving him 0-2 feet of space. Morris’ new contract will likely be a commitment, given his four-year. $20 million just expired, but he is both cost efficient and pivotal in a second rotation.

Ed Davis 

In light of the newfound athleticism of the NBA, players of Davis’ caliber continue to grow obsolete. Davis, however, flawlessly fulfills his responsibilities defending and rebounding. Davis appeared in 81 games, essentially an entire season, for Brooklyn in 2018-19 and set career-highs in defensive rebounds per game (5.9), total rebounds per game (8.6), effective field goal percentage (61.6) and true shooting percentage (63.2). In addition, Davis ranked in the 95th percentile relative to his position for shooting fouled percentage, drawing a foul on 21.8 percent of his shots. Davis collected 14.4 percent of Brooklyn’s missed field goal attempts (97th percentile) and grabbed 30.1% of his opponents’ missed field goal attempts (98th percentile).

Davis finished within the top-10 last season for total box outs (7.7), total screen assists (5.0) and screen assisted points per game (11.0). Davis’ fundamentally sound rebounding, defensive awareness, and durability are more than enough to outweigh his lack of point production. He likely earned himself a raise following an extremely productive season with Brooklyn, but he has yet to earn more than $7 million per year in his career. Regardless of where Davis decides to settle, he is going to prove himself invaluable for any organization.

Jeff Green 

Although Green will turn 33 years old by the time he suits up again, he remains a consistently impactful role player. Green played over 75 games in his previous two seasons where he scored at least 10.0 points per game and made a combined 70.5 percent of his attempts around the rim. Not to mention, Green improved his mid-range field goal percentage to 43.0 percent in 2018-19, an 8.0 percent increase in comparison to 2017-18. Likewise, Green set a career-high two-point field goal percentage (58.6 percent) and his three-point attempt rate rose to a career high 46.6 percent.

Though the game of basketball is evolving, Green manages to evolve with it. Just once in Green’s career, which has lasted longer than a decade now, did he average less than 10.0 points per game. Green, the 6-foot-9 wing and forward combo, adds a little bit of contributions everywhere on the basketball court. Despite underwhelming defensive statistics, the journeyman will not receive an abundance of money and serves any team well in a second or even third unit.

Dewayne Dedmon 

Dedmon collected 1.6 offensive rebounds per game in 2018-19, marking the third straight year hauling in over 1.5 boards on the offensive glass. Dedmon’s 5.9 defensive rebounds per game last season was greater than Myles Turner‘s and Al Horford‘s per game averages. Dedmon finally surpassed his career average of less than block per game, elevating his nightly average to 1.1 last season and he has yet to post a negative Defensive Box Plus Minus.

Dedmon’s previous two seasons are indicative of significant offensive improvement and the 7-foot center even attempted a little over 3.0 three-point shots per game last season. In fact, Dedmon shot 43.0 percent on corner three-point attempts and 38.0 percent from deep altogether.

Dedmon does not play with his back to the basket with much frequency anymore, but he is an immediate upgrade off of the bench. Dedmon’s offensive capabilities translate well in the modern NBA and he has the potential to blossom into phenomenal backup.