Sixers rumors: Reggie Bullock drawing interest from Philadelphia

The NBA Draft has commanded a lot of attention lately, but free agency is right around the corner. The moratorium ends on Aug. 2 at 6 PM E.T., meaning players can sign the dotted line in roughly two weeks’ time. The Sixers have limited resources, but will no doubt be active.

One name already on the radar is New York’s Reggie Bullock. According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, the 30-year-old wing is on the Sixers’ free agency list. Other suitors include Boston, Los Angeles, and of course, the incumbent Knicks.

Bullock is a clear fit on Philadelphia’s roster. He shot 41.0 percent from deep last season, and started on the fourth-seeded team in the East. He’s a tough perimeter defender on the wing, and a potential replacement (or supplement) for Danny Green, depending on how free agency shakes out.

The Sixers will pursue Reggie Bullock in free agency, but can Philadelphia entice the veteran sharpshooter?

At first glance, the only real avenue to signing Bullock is the taxpayer’s mid-level exception, which comes out to roughly $5.9 million per year. It feels like Bullock could get more than that, whether in New York or elsewhere. That said, the Celtics and Lakers are not swimming in cap space either, and Bullock may take a slight discount to join a real contender.

If the Sixers can convince Bullock to sign for less than $6 million a year, there aren’t many better options on the market. Another alternative would be a sign-and-trade, with New York eligible to give Bullock a starting salary of $10.3 million per season. That exceeds the full mid-level exception (roughly $9.2 million), which is a much more accurate representation of Bullock’s value. Berman reports that Bullock will likely chase a three-year deal.

The Sixers could build a sign-and-trade around George Hill, who is set to make a shade over $10 million in the final year of his contract. New York has a perpetual need for point guards, and the Sixers could value Bullock’s size and defense on the wing given the uncertainty around Ben Simmons’ future.

Another potential sign-and-trade candidate would be Danny Green. If Green prefers New York to Philadelphia, the Sixers could work out a deal to bring in Bullock as Green’s replacement. The Knicks have cap space this summer, and could hypothetically absorb Green’s next contract at a higher annual number than Bullock’s $10.3 million, should that option appeal to them.

If Bullock refuses the taxpayer’s mid-level, and he doesn’t opt for a sign-and-trade, then Philadelphia is probably out of luck. Even the Al Horford trade exception, worth $8.2 million, would require Bullock to first sign the dotted line in New York, with assets (or a trade exception) going to the Knicks.

There is not a more creative, ambitious general manager in the league than Daryl Morey. If the Sixers want Bullock, and Bullock wants the Sixers, then there are ways to secure a deal. The Sixers would benefit tremendously from Bullock’s 3-and-D repertoire, especially if he were bolstering the bench, rather than replacing a starter.