The Philadelphia 76ers have one final roster spot open, which gives the front office another good opportunity to keep their eyes on some veteran free agents. Several buyout candidates are slowly getting flicked onto the table, but if there is one player the team should avoid like the plague, it is Pat Connaughton –– a largely forgotten champion who is quietly on his way out of the NBA.
According to Hoops Hype's Michael Scotto, the Hornets' current roster situation includes a surplus, making Connaughton the obvious cut from their lineup due to his non-guaranteed contract for next season. That means that the 33-year-old could soon end up being another veteran whom teams can pluck away from the buyout market. However, the 76ers should steer clear of that proposition at all costs.
Pat Connaughton is definitely not the former champion the 76ers need from the buyout market
With LeBron James and Jaylen Brown now in the fold, the 76ers have a couple of Finals MVPs on their roster. That is a lot of championship pedigree suddenly boosting the team, but it is not unusual for contending squads to double down on adding playoff veterans off the bench for even more experience.
Be that as it may, Connaughton would be the wrong player to target in that regard. The veteran wing has not been a regular rotation player for his team over the last couple of seasons. There is some allure to his all-around skill set and stable hands, but his defensive acuity and three-point shooting have both gone downhill since his heyday in Milwaukee, where he won a championship.
The 76ers have first-hand experience from as recently as last season with regard to signing aging guards who have very little left in the tank (see: Eric Gordon and Kyle Lowry). The front office ought to avoid making those same mistakes, lest they waste another roster spot that would be much better earmarked for a younger option or a more well-fitting vet.
Mike Gansey and his crew have been nearly immaculate with their moves this offseason. Hopefully, they can keep the streak going by steering clear of players who are simply not going to be good fits for the team, like Pat Connaughton. Sometimes, the best move is to not do anything and watch the others scramble for a less desired commodity while they look for a better option elsewhere.
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