Philadelphia 76ers: Furkan Korkmaz proving his playoff worth

I’ve not always been the biggest support of Furkan Korkmaz in the past, but I’ve also given him credit as well. This is one of the times where I’m going to give the Philadelphia 76ers‘ former 26th pick of the 2016 NBA Draft.

Prior to the start of the postseason, I wrote about how these playoffs will influence the free agent market for Korkmaz this offseason. Based on his play thus far, he’s probably going to get a solid payday.

In fact, I recently wrote that he should be the prime candidate to replace the injured Danny Green in the starting five. Until this season, Korkmaz couldn’t play in the postseason, but now he’s proving his worth.

Korkmaz is proving his postseason worth for the Philadelphia 76ers.

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Thus fair this postseason, Korkmaz is averaging 12.5 minutes, 6.8 points, and 0.8 steals, while shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from the 3-point line. That’s efficient shooting, but the averages don’t tell the whole story.

It’s true that there were two games in these playoffs that 0-3 from the field while scoring zero points, however, outside of those two duds, he’s been solid, if not impressive. He’s had three double-digit scoring nights. He was a key catalyst to the Sixers winning Game 3 against the Atlanta Hawks with 14 points off the benching leading the game with a plus/minus score of plus-24.

It’s not just his offense that has been impressive, but it’s his defense that has been above expectation. In the past, he’s been played off the court in the playoffs in past years, but this postseason, he has a Defensive Box Plus/Minus score of plus-0.3. Outside of his rookie year where he barely played in the playoffs, this is the best Defensive Box Plus/Minus score of his postseason career.

Korkmaz is proving his worth this postseason thus far for the Philadelphia 76ers. If he can continue it for the Sixers, it will not only benefit the franchise on the court, but it will also benefit him off the court this offseason when he’s an unrestricted free agent.