It was been an interesting journey with the Philadelphia 76ers 2016 26th pick in Furkan Korkmaz. He went from barely playing, to looking like a bust, to becoming a rotational 3-point shooter on the Sixers.
Now it appears that Korkmaz’s tenure with the 76ers will be coming to an end this offseason. Despite his comments about him wanting to return, per Noah Levick of NBCSPhilly, it seems unlikely with Philly’s salary cap situation as Christopher Kline of The Sixer Sense wrote on this in the past.
While Korkmaz is a solid 3-point shooter, he’s also had the tendency to be a streaky marksman on occasion. He’s not a reliable rotational player in the postseason either with his inconsistent shooting and below-average defense.
Korkmaz will probably demand at least a mid-level exception in free agency and the Sixers can’t afford to give that amount of money to a player of his caliber. With that in mind, he should be looking at different teams this offseason that can pay him wants he wants and/or can give him a bigger role than what the Sixers can offer.
5 possible free agent destinations for Korkmaz: Oklahoma City Thunder
If Korkmaz is looking for a big role and a big payday, then the Oklahoma City Thunder should be his first stop in free agency. At 23-years-old Korkmaz is still young enough to be a part of the Thunder’s rebuilding efforts.
Last season, Oklahoma City was the second to last in 3-point percentage as a team shooting just 33.9 percent from downtown. Considering that Korkmaz shot 37.5 percent from deep, they could certainly use him to help space the floor for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
They are projected to have $73.1 million, but only $45.1 million of it is guaranteed, per fanspo.com. Needless to say, they could offer him the most money if they wanted him to join their franchise.
This Thunder team may provide Korkmaz the best opportunity starting next year. They are a young team with solid perimeter defenders like Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort to cover Korkmaz’s defensive weakness. In terms of playing time and getting paid, the Thunders should be number one on Korkmaz’s list.
5 possible free agent destinations for Korkmaz: Chicago Bulls
However, there’s a chance that Korkmaz doesn’t want to be a part of a full-on rebuild. He may want to be on a team that is contending for a playoff spot. One team that fits that category would be the Chicago Bulls.
The Bulls have a dynamic offensive duo in Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. They also have a nice young core of Coby White, Patrick Williams, and Lauri Markkanen. Chicago has the core needed to make a playoff run, but they are missing role players.
“With that in mind, there is a level of familiarity between Korkmaz and (Marc) Eversely that could lead to a union this offseason.”
Garrett Temple, Denzel Valentine, and Javonte Green are all going to be free agents. Young guys like Valentine and Green might be looking for bigger roles elsewhere and it’s unclear if Temple will be getting a job next year based on his age. The Bulls will need to replenish their perimeter depth and Korkmaz can do that.
It should be also be noted that Marc Eversely is the general manager of the Bulls and Eversely was a part of the Philadelphia 76ers’ front office that drafted Korkmaz. With that in mind, there is a level of familiarity between Korkmaz and Eversely that could lead to a union this offseason.
5 possible free agent destinations for Korkmaz: Minnesota Timberwolves
The Bulls aren’t the only team that could be contending for the playoff spot next season. The Minnesota Timberwolves are a young up-and-coming club that could be appealing to the Turkish sharpshooter.
The Timberwolves shot just 34.9 percent from the 3-point line as a team last season. That’s ranked for 25th in the NBA, which won’t be getting a franchise into the postseason. They need perimeter shooting to surround All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns and first overall pick Anthony Edwards.
Korkmaz would be an upgrade in terms of shooting over Jake Layman, Josh Okogie, and Jarrett Culver on the perimeter. However, the current T-Wolves roster isn’t the only selling point for the Philadelphia 76ers free agent.
There have been rumors that Minnesota has a serious interest in Ben Simmons. Simmons and Korkmaz have played their whole careers together so there’s a level of familiarity between the two first round picks of 2016 NBA draft. If Simmons does get traded to Minny, then Korkmaz might want to follow his teammate to a new team.
5 possible free agent destinations for Korkmaz: Golden State Warriors
In terms of irrational confidence, it’s fair to say that Korkmaz had the most of that regarding 3-point shooting for the Philadelphia 76ers this past season. That being written, Korkmaz might want to go to a team that embraces his love of taking 3-point shots.
Enter in the Golden State Warriors who have two of the top-five 3-point shooters of all-time in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Both players are so lethal as shooters that it opens up the floor for their teammates and having a playmaker like Draymond Green will allow Korkmaz to get wide-open shots.
The Warriors could be a legit contender in the Western Conference next season with Thompson returning to health and the fact have two lottery picks this upcoming draft as well. They also have young center James Wiseman who should get better too. Not to mention that the Warriors are rumored in the Simmons sweepstakes as well.
That being written, the Warriors are really tight on salary cap space. If Korkmaz is willing to take a pay cut, then he has a chance to win a title with some of the best 3-point shooters in NBA history. However, if he doesn’t then Golden State shouldn’t be on his radar.
5 possible free agent destinations for Korkmaz: Boston Celtics
Most Sixers fans may not want to see the Boston Celtics on this list, however, this list isn’t for the 76ers, but what’s in the best interest of Korkmaz. That being said, Korkmaz would be hard pressed to find a better fit.
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Technically, the Celtics don’t have a huge need for Korkmaz as they were ranked 10th in 3-point percentage last year converting 37.4 percent as a team. However, the Celtics are young on the perimeter outside of Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Evan Fournier.
Despite being just 23 years old, Korkmaz has four years of NBA experience under his belt and has playoff experience, albeit not great expeirience. However, his fit on the roster isn’t the biggest reason why he should be interested in the Celtics.
Boston just hired Ime Udoka who was an assistant for Philly when Korkmaz had his breakout season. On top of that, Al Horford just returned to the Celtics for his second stint after he left the first time to sign with the Sixers. That also happened to be when Korkmaz had his breakout third season as well. Familiarity with the coaching staff and having a former teammate on the roster should make Boston an intriguing club for Korkmaz to consider.
There are at least five legit teams that Korkmaz to consider if him returning to the Philadelphia 76ers becomes unlikely. Each team provides Korkmaz with either the chance for money, a bigger role, and/or a chance to win on the big stage.