4 Players the 76ers should target after missing out on Gary Trent Jr.
The Philadelphia 76ers, despite a barrage of well-received moves in free agency, still have a handful of things to address this offseason. Primordial is their pressing need to make the roster deeper at every position — an area they admittedly cut corners on to facilitate their new signings.
A golden opportunity in the form of Gary Trent Jr. was featured in the open market, but the 76ers let that opportunity past. Instead, the shooting guard signed with a key rival in the Bucks. Philly still needs help at the wings, and with the 25-year-old now off the board, here are four players the team should pivot to.
4. The 76ers could trade for veteran scorer Jordan Clarkson
It’s way easier for the 76ers to maximize the veteran’s minimum allowance in free agency, but the trade market remains available for them to exploit. The structure of KJ Martin’s deal allows them to make a swap for a moderately sized contract, though they will need to surrender one of their modest signings.
If Philly is amenable to that scenario, one name they can go for is Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson, who’s been made widely available for trades since last season’s trade deadline. While he’s had a relatively down year in the previous campaign, there’s much to like about his theoretical fit with the team thanks to his secondary playmaking and legitimate three-level scoring.
3. Landry Shamet is available as a low-cost signing for Philly
Three-point shooting was not one of the 76ers’ featured motifs in their offense last season. The team did well rebounding from Buddy Hield’s loss with the signing of Eric Gordon and of course, Paul George, but doubling down on perimeter firepower won’t hurt.
Still unsigned in free agency, Landry Shamet remains available as a potentially low-cost option for Philadelphia at shooting guard. The 27-year-old had a down year shooting the basketball last season, but he’s a career 38.4 percent three-point shooter on great volume. That he played within a discombobulated Wizards offense should also merit him the benefit of the doubt.
Shamet won’t be supplanting anyone on the team as currently constructed, but he’s a low-risk option the 76ers can go to if they need a shooting lift. He’s particularly great at moving without the ball and curling off screens — traits that Nick Nurse would be able to integrate well and put to good use.
2. Reggie Bullock would be a nice, two-way addition for the 76ers
Part and parcel of Gary Trent Jr.’s intrigue is his volume three-point shooting, but perimeter defense is also one of his strengths, though the Raptors’ meager status on that end hindered a bulk of that. The 76ers don’t have the stylings of a team that will struggle on that end, but with Paul George and Caleb Martin being their only forwards, investing in a lengthy wing will be a good pivot.
Reggie Bullock, who failed to see the court much last season for Houston, would be a terrific third-string wing. He’s a proven positive defender and a career 38.5 percent three-point shooter. Even better, he’s just a full season removed from being a full-time starter for the Mavericks.
The 76ers badly need to load up on the wings, especiall on the defensive end. After all, the Celtics, Knicks, and Bucks have some of the league’s better wings. Also, Bullock would be a big boost to the locker room, and his versatility would certainly be a great asset to have.
1. Spencer Dinwiddie may want to rebuild his value in Philadelphia
If Jordan Clarkson proves to be an unrealistic get via trade, the 76ers should set their sights on Spencer Dinwiddie who, following a forgettable half-season campaign with the Lakers, has been the recipient of a very dry market in free agency.
Dinwiddie may not be a compelling names right now, but there’s a tenable chance that he can return to form under a different situation. He was shoehorned into what’s largely an off-ball role for Los Angeles last season, and given his skill set, that he disappointed at large shouldn’t be surprising if we’re being candid.
Having the 38-year-old Lowry as the lone backup playmaker is a risk in and of itself. While still productive, he’s oft-injured and has lost a lot of speed defensively. Dinwiddie, while not a known stopper, offers more size and impromptu shot-making.
