The Philadelphia 76ers invested in Shake Milton this summer, a clear sign of perceived value.
After a strong rookie season in Delaware, the Philadelphia 76ers rewarded Shake Milton with a four-year, rookie-scale contract this summer. If all breaks right, the Sixers will have Milton on a minimal contract for four seasons — a solid value, if his potential is realized.
Injury concerns are what led to Milton’s availability in the mid-50s on draft night. He profiled as a fringe first-round pick for most of his junior season, showcasing the skill and versatility NBA teams covet on the perimeter. He fits an archetype that’s becoming increasingly prominent.
At 6-foot-6, Milton has the length to defend three positions successfully. For all you need to know about his defensive potential, here’s a clip of him bottling up Giannis Antetokounmpo on a drive to the hole. That’s not easy, especially for a shooting guard.
Giannis going up against the best player in the world, shakemilton pic.twitter.com/y0Kz5T3GGy
— Kevin Rice (@TheKevinRice) August 22, 2019
On offense, Milton was a proficient 3-point shooter in the G-League last season. He also averaged 5.3 assists per contest, receiving legitimate minutes at point guard — an experiment the Sixers continued in Summer League.
There’s a clear diversity to Milton’s skill set, and he occupies a role the Sixers — even more so than the general NBA population — value. He’s a skilled comboguard who can shoot, playmake and defend.
Here’s what he needs to do in 2019-20