Welcome to the shooting guard installment of free agent evaluations. When it comes to what the Philadelphia 76ers need at the shooting guard position, it’s pretty obvious they need shooting. Regardless of whether or not Ben Simmons will be on the roster next season, they still need shooters around Joel Embiid.
Last year they received solid play at the position. Seth Curry arguably played his best season despite being injured for most of the year. Furkan Korkmaz also played well but will be a free agent and is probably heading for big payday. George Hill and Shake Milton played well enough as off guards when rotations needed them to.
That being written, there is quality shooting guard depth on the free agent market. There will be shooters on this list, the Sixers might be able to snap an All-Star caliber player if the chips fall in the right spots for Philly.
5 shooting guard free agent options in 2021: Wayne Ellington
Wayne Ellington was a player who Christopher Kline of The Sixer Sense wrote about the sharpshooter being a potential target for the Philadelphia 76ers. The 33-year-old veteran shooting had a great season with the rebuilding Detroit Pistons.
On the year, he averaged 9.6 points on 42.2 percent from the 3-point line. He can spot off and can move a little off the ball. At 6-foot-4, he’s a little undersized but he’s not a negative defender for his position either.
He’d be a backup in Philly, but there’s a real chance he’d get anywhere from 20-25 minutes per game. He’s not a spark plug off the bench but he’s a smart veteran who plays within his role and won’t make boneheaded mistakes.
With his good play, he will cost the Sixers the mid-level exception, but it’s completely possible another contender could offer him more. However, if he does sign, he’d be a solid veteran to help build a culture in the locker room.