Sixers: 3 reasons Danny Green needed to be re-signed at all costs

Why the Sixers needed to re-sign Danny Green: Lack of wing depth

Frankly, there just wasn’t a great option to replace Green in the starting lineup. Matisse Thybulle is an amazing defensive fit as a starter but doesn’t have the shooting efficiency yet. For his career, Thybulle is a 33 percent 3-point shooter. He shot 30.1 percent in 2020.

Korkmaz is probably the best overall compromise of offensive and defensive fit outside of Green, but making him the starter would’ve hurt the depth of the unit. Shake Milton or Isaiah Joe would have had to play significant minutes at that point. As we saw with Milton minutes in the 2020 season and playoffs, there’s just not a lot of consistency from game to game despite some great moments.

Re-signing Green also buys time for the young guys on the roster to develop. Thybulle and Joe specifically get some more time to develop further. Another advantage to Green’s contract is that the second year on his deal is non-guaranteed. If the Sixers do see a significant jump in development from their young wings on the roster in 2021, they could waive Green in 2022 without bearing any financial responsibility.

Green coming back in 2021 is the best move for the present and the future of the team. It gives the team the security it needs in the starting lineup for the short term and the flexibility Philadelphia may need in the long term.