Should The Philadelphia 76ers Inquire About Jeremy Lin?
With no real point guards on the roster, should the Philadelphia 76ers inquire about former Charlotte Hornets point guard Jeremy Lin?
After winning the lottery and selecting Ben Simmons with the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft, the Philadelphia 76ers are moving into another aspect of their redesign post-Sam Hinkie.
The Sixers still have to figure out what to do with all of their big men on the roster and it seems like the new front office isn’t keen on Robert Covington and his production at small forward.
Still, the early rumblings have Philadelphia pushing to upgrade their wing positions.
After being linked to Harrison Barnes, the Sixers were also mentioned in expressing interest in adding Allen Crabbe and Dion Waiters. The recurring theme? All three are expected to help improve their wing position.
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Waiters, to me, is the worst of the three and probably not worth big money, but Crabbe is a skilled sharpshooter who had a breakout season for the Portland Trail Blazers.
Barnes, despite his poor play in the NBA Finals, is someone who can knock down threes and defend two positions.
I doubt Barnes will ever live up to the expectations created when he left North Carolina, but for a team that won just 22 games over the last two seasons, Barnes and his ability to dabble at both forward positions gives Philadelphia some positional flexibility and his shooting can at least open up the lane for Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor.
Should the Philadelphia 76ers throw some of their cap space towards the point guard position? More specifically, should the Sixers go after Jeremy Lin to fill their point guard position?
Jeremy Lin has been a solid point guard for much of his career and he would certainly be an upgrade for the Sixers.
Last season, Lin completed his fifth straight season averaging more than 10 points per game, finishing with 11.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game on 41 percent shooting as a backup point guard for the Hornets.
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He’s not an elite point guard, but he’s a solid guard who can create for others, as well as himself.
The Sixers need a conductor, someone who can operate the offense and create for others. Last season, Nerlens Noel took off when Ish Smith returned to the roster. Covington, the same player the front office is trying to move, has been a great floor spacer without a player creating for him.
Lin is someone who can make players better around him and Philadelphia would be a great location for him.
He’s also good alongside point guards. While I don’t envision him alongside a fellow point guard in Philadelphia, he would be playing next to Simmons. Simmons, who’s more of a point forward at this stage of his career will be looked to create.
Lin could move into a shooter’s role as he knocked down 33 percent of his threes and better than 35 percent in two of his last three seasons.
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Lin is still a dynamic slasher, too. Last season, he finished with
.
What is Lin’s price tag? That’s a good question considering teams like Sacramento need a starting point guard and have the money to make a strong offer.
The Nets also have a chance, as Lin worked with head coach Kenny Atkinson during their time with the New York. At first, I envisioned a small deal for Lin, something that gets him back on the market at age 30.
However, a three-year deal worth $12 million to $14 million per year doesn’t seem too crazy with the lack of good point guards on the market.
The Sixers will have the most cap space to play with this offseason. They’ve already zeroed in on improving their wing depth, opting for guys who can help space the floor and create some balance on offense.
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Still, I think the Sixers should go and sign Jeremy Lin, who can help as a creator and even play alongside Simmons, proving a steady playmaker and slasher.