Sixers: 8 possible free agents for mid-level exception

Possible free agents for Sixers’ mid-level exception: Blake Griffin

The Nets probably want to keep Blake Griffin around, and if I had to guess, Griffin probably wants to stay in Brooklyn. A healthy Nets team is immediately front-running next season, and Griffin proved he can still play a valuable part on a contender in the playoffs. He won’t get any younger, but Griffin is the perfect small-ball five to run a second unit — or, in the exceedingly rare case of Brooklyn, start in the postseason.

If the Nets are unable to retain Griffin, however, the Sixers would have ample reason to give him a call. Griffin is a more preferable reserve than, say, Dwight Howard. He can space the floor, bomb open 3s, and do a lot within the framework of Philadelphia’s offense. He also has experience in Doc Rivers’ system, though I can’t speak for their relationship.

Griffin is a nifty passer and unselfish player who acclimated well to role player status in Brooklyn. He can set screens and pop out to the 3-point line, or roll hard to the rim, where he’s reasonably athletic finisher — or a capable playmaker who can pick defenses apart on the short roll. He does too many things well not to provide value, and he was a damn good defender in the Milwaukee series.

In general, Griffin may prefer a bigger role than the one he would play in Philadelphia. The Sixers could certainly survive minutes with him next to Embiid, but Griffin’s main purpose would — ideally — be serving as Embiid’s backup. Other teams can offer more minutes, and perhaps even a bigger payday, though I doubt Griffin would go anywhere where title contention is out of the picture. This is the most unlikely name on the list — he has a bigger role and better title odds in Brooklyn — but hey, he’s a name worth mentioning.