Sixers free agency 2021: Grading the Furkan Korkmaz contract

The Sixers‘ first day of free agency was a quiet one, not dissimilar to the offseason of 2020. Daryl Morey sat patiently behind the controls as several appealing names shot off the board. Miami and Atlanta made strides, putting more pressure on Philadelphia as the Ben Simmons rumors reach a frenzied pitch.

That said, it was not a completely uneventful day for the Sixers and the Philly faithful. Dwight Howard decided to jump ship, returning to the Lakers in a long-foreshadowed move. And, more excitingly, Furkan Korkmaz re-signed for three years, $15 million, keeping him part of the Sixers’ second unit long-term.

The move was met with generally positive reviews. Many thought Korkmaz would receive a bigger payday given his status as a volume shooter in a league that revolves around the 3-point line. Other shooters broke the bank, and yet Korkmaz was netted for a very affordable $5 million per season.

How does the Sixers’ first move of the 2021 free agency period, re-upping Furkan Korkmaz, grade out?

In general, the above sentiment is correct — $5 million a year is exceedingly reasonable for what Korkmaz brings to the table. He’s not perfect, but Korkmaz shoots more 3s per 36 minutes than any other rotation player in Philadelphia, and he improved drastically as a defender and passer last season. At 24 years old, he still has room to grow and evolve alongside the Sixers’ core.

Besides Howard, who will ultimately get replaced by another veteran center, the Sixers’ second unit is shaping up to look awfully familiar. Korkmaz averaged 19.3 minutes per game in his fourth NBA season, and should see a similar, if not slightly expanded workload next season. He was the man Doc Rivers turned to when Danny Green got hurt in the playoffs, and his 3-point output remains essential, regardless of what happens with Ben Simmons.

If the Sixers lose Green for nothing, Korkmaz’s value will only increase. He’s not a starter on a championship contender — not ideally — but he does so much for the offense with his decisiveness alone. Should Green leave, Korkmaz’s 3-point volume would carry even greater weight.

The Sixers still have the $5.9 million taxpayer’s mid-level exception, as well as the $8.2 million trade exception from the Al Horford deal. More moves are yet to be made, and that’s without venturing into the murky waters of Ben Simmons. Even so, with Korkmaz locked up, one of Philadelphia’s few reliable bench pieces will remain. It can’t be the only move, but it’s a major plus.

Final grade: A