Not a lot of teams have a more pressing need in the playmaking department than the Philadelphia 76ers. The squad racked up just 23.2 assists per game this season, which is the second-lowest mark in the league. Likewise, only 58.4 percent of their converted field goals were assisted, which was again the second-worst among all teams.
Heading into the offseason, the 76ers brass has to promptly address this glaring issue, which the team has had for a couple of seasons now. Sure, the team has more than enough talent to remain a very competent offensive squad, but having a natural point guard who can help dictate the tempo and stabilize the half-court offense will bring some much-needed calm to help make the offense even more dynamic.
Philly has some options in this regard. From former All-Stars to young prospects, there are various ways where the front office can go to mitigate their lack of natural playmaking. But another option available for them is tapping into some less heralded free agents who can pack a lot of value without requiring the team to break the bank. Case in point? Look no further than to-be free agents who Tre Jones.
Free agent guard Tre Jones and the 76ers are a match made in heaven
Jones, who was traded to Chicago from San Antonio midway through the season, will hit the open market as one of the more unpopular, yet solid free agents available for taking, especially for teams in need of a boost at the point guard position.
The younger brother of Tyus Jones, the 25-year-old is a heady floor general who is some sort of a jack of all trades. Aside from his relative lack of a reliable three-point shot, he has a well-rounded game, which necessarily includes a Jonesian signature — a sky-high assists-to-turnover ratio.
A fan favorite in San Antonio and in his brief stint in Chicago, Jones is very good at pushing the ball to punish unwitting defenses in transition and going to the rack with his sheer speed. But more importantly, he very rarely commits mistakes with the ball in his hands — something the 76ers would welcome to complement their score-first guards in Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain.
His price tag could vary, but as it currently stands, it should not reach a point where the 76ers will have to think twice before offering him something. After all, he is more of an 18 to 20-minute bench piece than a high-minute bench catalyst.
The Philadelphia 76ers have made some bargains in free agency in the last couple of years, and if they do manage to sign Tre Jones, that would make it three in a row.