The Philadelphia 76ers roster is almost set as they slowly inch closer to training camp, but few would call their current deck as capable of truly winning the championship. As harsh as it may sound, this team just has way too many red flags to ignore from the ceaseless injury bug, roster overlaps, and their pronounced weaknesses in certain departments of the game.
Sure, there is still the Quentin Grimes saga to put a conclusion to, but the 76ers are, in most likelihood, not going to change anything with their components when the season starts. It is just not feasible at this juncture.
But what if I tell you that there might be an opportunity for them to still make a mini-splash right when everyone thought they were done? Well, that is exactly the kind of opening that just popped up recently in light of some unexpected development in the open market.
Free agent wing Malik Beasley, who was previously under heavy scrutiny and ongoing investigations related to gambling on NBA games and prop bets, has apparently been cleared. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Beasley’s attorneys have informed league circles about this development, raising the opportunity of him finding a new home in the league for next season.
The 76ers could break into the Malik Beasley sweepstakes after recent development
Beasley is coming off a very productive season for the Detroit Pistons, but due to what he had just been though and the remnants of his off-court troubles, his market value has probably already waned, not to mention the fact that all teams have already spent their money in free agency.
That, of course, leaves the door for a huge bargain bin deal. The 76ers, no strangers to players taking massive discounts due to abruptly dry markets, should be one of the few teams to try their chances at signing him for cheap.
Beasley is coming off his best season yet as a pro. Last season, he averaged 16.3 points as Detroit’s nominal sixth man, draining 41.6 percent of his three-point tries while being just two made triples away from leading the NBA in total makes from rainbow country.
Detroit has already calibrated in anticipation of Beasley’s situation by nabbing a couple of three-point specialists this summer, so they will probably be amenable to letting him go.
The 76ers badly need three-point shooting, and Beasley will most certainly provide lots of it. While Philadelphia’s backcourt is crowded (and the team basically already has full house), he is worth the attendant financial gymnastics and role dilemma if they are serious about addressing their shooting woes.