Philadelphia 76ers: 2016 Offseason Grades

The Philadelphia 76ers had no hope of luring respectable free agents, but how did they wind up doing this summer? Here are their complete 2016 offseason grades.

Coming off a 10-win season in which they nearly posted the lowest winning percentage in NBA history, the Philadelphia 76ers eagerly awaited the first offseason of the post-Sam Hinkie era.

Ironically enough, all of Hinkie’s blatant tanking finally earned the Sixers the No. 1 overall pick after he stepped down, and though Philly largely missed out on the biggest free agency bonanza in NBA history, they continued to add young, new talent to a promising nucleus.

Still, there were questions to be asked under new general manager Bryan Colangelo. Would the Sixers trade Jahlil Okafor or Nerlens Noel to clear out room in the frontcourt? Would Joel Embiid finally be healthy? Who would Philly use their No. 1 draft pick on? And what kinds of free agents could they realistically try to sign?

The Sixers did little this summer to make themselves more competitive for the short-term, but they’re finally starting to gain momentum in this rebuilding process. Here’s a look at the Philadelphia 76ers’ complete 2016 offseason grades.

Next: Draft Pick No. 1

Draft Pick No. 1

With the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, the 76ers had to make the tough decision between LSU’s Ben Simmons and Duke’s Brandon Ingram — a decision the likes of which they hadn’t faced under Sam Hinkie, but one that was undoubtedly borne of the fruits of his labor.

The Sixers went with a point forward who might be able to solve their backcourt deficiencies in one fell swoop, taking Simmons and committing to his uncanny passing abilities and court vision.

In his lone season with the Tigers, Simmons put up an impressive 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.0 steals per game while shooting 56 percent from the floor. His team didn’t even qualify for the NCAA Tournament, but a lot of that had to do with coaching and the lack of a supporting cast.

Simmons needs to work on his perimeter jumper, but if he can eventually add that weapon to his arsenal, he’ll be the complete package for a team still waiting for a franchise player to emerge from its bevy of lottery selections.

In NBA Summer League, Simmons asserted himself in the point forward role he’ll be taking on in Philly, averaging a well-rounded 10.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game and earning All-Summer League First Team honors despite his paltry 32.2 percent shooting.

There are questions about his leadership qualities, his assertiveness in looking for his own scoring, his perimeter shooting and his desire to play hard when surrounded by lackluster teammates — you know, sort of like he’ll have in Philly — but there’s no question he has the athleticism, ball handling, court vision and length to make it in the NBA.

With the Sixers looking to improve the supporting cast and get back to being competitive, it’s only a matter of time before Ben Simmons proves himself as a legitimate point forward and one of the league’s brightest upcoming stars.

Grade: A+

Next: Draft Pick No. 2

Draft Pick No. 2

At No. 24, the Sixers went with a pick that was popular among international basketball savants in France’s Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot. A 6’7″ wing with plenty of length, the 21-year-old Luwawu could develop into a prototypical NBA 3-and-D player.

Last season in the Adriatic League, Luwawu had a breakout year playing for Mega Leks. He averaged 16.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game on .435/.420/.667 shooting splits, though those numbers came in an admittedly small sample size of 12 games.

Between his physical profile, 7’2″ wingspan, solid frame and young age, Luwawu could prove to be a solid NBA starter as he continues to fill out. As a wing who can make plays above the rim and knock down catch-and-shoot threes with a pure stroke, Luwawu was worth looking into this late in the first round.

In NBA Summer League, Luwawu put up 8.2 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, shooting a less than scintillating 36.7 percent from the floor and 30.8 percent from three-point range.

To be fair, the Sixers may have whiffed by not taking Dejounte Murray, who was still available and wound up going to the San Antonio Spurs at No. 29, but if Philly is all-in on putting the ball in Ben Simmons’ hands, passing on Murray makes a little more sense.

Besides, Luwawu also addresses a position of need on the wing, giving the Sixers yet another playmaking forward to add to a promising young core.

Grade: A-

Next: Draft Pick No. 3

Draft Pick No. 3

With their third first round selection, the Sixers used the No. 26 pick — acquired from the Denver Nuggets via OKC thanks to the JaVale McGee salary dump — on Furkan Korkmaz, once again passing on Dejounte Murray and his potential fit at the 1-spot.

For a player who was projected by some experts to go as high as the mid-teens, the Sixers got great value with a knockdown shooter to spread the floor and open things up for Simmons’ penetration down the road.

According to Keith Pompey of Philly.com, Korkmaz will remain with Anadoulu Efes in the Turkish Super League for another season. It would’ve taken a $2 million buyout to get him to come stateside, and the Sixers only would’ve been able to chip in $650,000.

A 6’8″ shooting guard from Turkey, Korkmaz has great size and athleticism for his position. He’s an excellent shooter with three-point range, but he can also put the ball on the floor and make things happen as a 1 or 2.

Though he needs to get stronger for the next level, Korkmaz has a terrific base skill set to build off of, especially for a 19-year-old. He didn’t get a chance to show what he can do in NBA Summer League, but this Furkan guy can play.

Grade: A

Next: They Went To Jerryd

They Went To Jerryd

With cap space for miles and plenty of promising, young restricted free agents hitting the market, the Sixers had plenty of options for high-upside players. Instead, they chose to target a veteran for their backcourt, signing Jerryd Bayless to a three-year, $27 million contract.

Being that this was Philadelphia’s first move of free agency, it was bit underwhelming for a new regime that is committed to making this team more competitive in the here and now. Still, the 27-year-old Bayless serves a purpose on a team virtually devoid of experience.

Entering his ninth NBA season, Bayless has been around long enough to know the ropes of the game and, hopefully, instruct some of the younger players on how to conduct themselves as professionals.

He also bolsters a backcourt that lost Ish Smith and was rolling with T.J. McConnell and Kendall Marshall for far too long last season. Last year in Milwaukee, Bayless averaged 10.4 points and 3.1 assists per game, shooting an impressive 43.7 percent from three-point range, which could put him in contention for a starting job.

However, you’d hardly think of Bayless as your stereotypical “veteran” presence, which is perfectly in line with where the Sixers are at right now as far as being unable to attract real veterans to join their rebuilding project.

Bayless is a solid addition as a backup point guard, but he’s not some all-time teammate who will lead the vanguard for the culture change that this franchise desperately needs.

Grade: B

Next: Signing Sergio

Signing Sergio

Best known for his exploits overseas with Team Spain, Sergio Rodriguez had a slightly underwhelming NBA career during his four seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks and Sacramento Kings, holding career averages of 4.3 points and 2.9 assists in 13.2 minutes per game.

However, the 30-year-old Rodriguez has spent the last few years racking up awards and accolades in Europe, earning the Euroleague MVP Award in 2014 and All-Europe Player of the Year honors in 2014 and 2015.

For his career in Euroleague play, Rodriguez is a 39.5 percent three-point shooter. Unfortunately, that skill has yet to translate to the NBA, where Rodriguez was a career 31.6 percent shooter from distance.

Sergio hasn’t been in the league since 2009-10, but for a team like the Sixers that needs perimeter shooting and doesn’t really have playoff aspirations for next season, his one-year, $8 million deal is hardly a bad gamble.

Grade: B-

Next: Hello Henderson

Hello Henderson

With a two-year, $18 million contract, the Sixers pried a useful bench piece away from the Trail Blazers to come bolster Philly’s second unit and backcourt depth.

Heading into his eighth NBA season, Gerald Henderson is another one of those young veterans you wouldn’t typically think of targeting to build a better locker room culture, but he has enough experience to join Bayless in helping set an example for the younger guys.

Last season in Portland, Hendo had a harder time replicating the sixth man success he was known for during his six seasons with the Charlotte Hornets/Bobcats. His numbers dropped to 8.7 points per game on 43.9 percent shooting, but he did shoot a career-high 35.3 percent from three-point range. He also brings defense and is more likely to take on a leadership role than Bayless.

The Sixers would probably like to see him average double-digits in the scoring column, and should be hoping last season was the start of something good for his three-point stroke, rather than a one-year outlier for a career 31.9 percent shooter.

Either way though, the length of this deal is short and the contract is team-friendly, helping the Sixers snag yet another player who should make them a teensy bit better in 2016-17, but probably won’t make a huge impact either.

Grade: B

Next: Signing Saric

Signing Saric

Technically speaking, the Sixers made this move in the 2014 NBA Draft, when they traded the No. 10 pick (Elfrid Payton) to the Orlando Magic for a future draft pick, a 2015 second-rounder and the No. 12 pick, Dario Saric.

A Croatian sensation who is as well known for his cocky on-court antics as he is for his actual skill, Saric automatically makes the Sixers more fun, even in a crowded frontcourt where minutes may be scarce as a rookie.

After signing a five-year deal (third and fourth years are team options, fifth year is a $4.8 million qualifying offer) this summer, the Sixers are hoping Saric can join Simmons as one of the team’s foundational pieces moving forward.

A 6’10”, 22-year-old stretch-4, Saric has the length, three-point shooting and competitive fire to carve out a place in this league and in Sixers fans’ hearts. He was a Turkish Cup winner in 2015, won the FIBA European Player of the Year Award in 2013 and 2014, and earned Adriatic League MVP honors in 2014.

Saric has spent the last two years playing for Anadolu Efes and averaged 11.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game last season. He also joined the 50-40-90 club, posting superb .500/.403/.939 shooting splits.

It may take Saric awhile to adjust to the NBA, but Sixers fans should be excited they finally get to see what he can do, especially if he’s able to spread the floor for Ben Simmons.

Grade: A

Next: Odds And Ends

Odds And Ends

Rounding out the Sixers’ summer are a couple of relative unknowns, especially after the biggest name (Sasha Kaun, via a salary dump trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers) was unceremoniously waived.

First there’s Shawn Long, who was signed to a three-year, non-guaranteed deal. A 6’9″ power forward from Louisiana-Lafayette, Long joined the Sixers’ Summer League team after going undrafted in the 2016 NBA Draft.

Long averaged 9.1 points and 3.5 rebounds in 13.0 minutes per game over his eight appearances, shooting a red-hot 55.6 percent from the field, converting 45.8 percent of his threes and posting an 18-point performance and a 21-point outing in two of his last three games.

Next up is James Webb, another 6’9″ forward who averaged 9.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in his two appearances with the Sixers’ Summer League squad. The former Boise State product only made two of his 10 three-point attempts, but he also joins Philly on a three-year, partially guaranteed deal.

Finally there’s Brandon Paul, a 6’4″ guard from Illinois who lit it up for Philadelphia’s Summer League team, averaging 12.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 37.5 percent from three-point territory.

Paul has spent the last few years playing in Russia, Spain and the NBA D-League, and like the other two players in this section, will have a hard time making the final 15-man roster. None of these moves will likely lead anywhere, but it never hurts to have some extra bodies for training camp.

Grade: C-

Next: Overall

Overall

Nothing the Sixers did this summer will help them substantially in 2016-17. There’s no way they’ll be a 10-win team again, but for the time being, the playoffs are still out of sight, out of mind.

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That being said, by drafting Simmons, Luwawu and Korkmaz, along with finally bringing Saric stateside and adding a couple of young veterans to help transition into the next era of 76ers basketball, Philadelphia is building palpable momentum for the first time in years.

Simmons has the makings of a franchise star, Saric is going to be immediate fun and even better, the Sixers will finally get a look at what a healthy Joel Embiid can do. Those three things alone make the summer a success for a team that had zero hope of luring the offseason’s more respectable free agents in the first place.

That being said, it feels like the Sixers missed out on some opportunities to throw huge offers at some of this summer’s younger restricted free agents. The Brooklyn Nets tried and whiffed on two of them (Tyler Johnson and Allen Crabbe), but it feels like Philly could’ve gotten in there and gotten their hands dirty.

While adding veterans was a necessary step, it remains to be seen how much Bayless and Henderson will actually help on that front. Philadelphia bolstered its backcourt, but there will be rotation issues for Brett Brown to sort out when it comes to that log-jammed frontcourt.

More hoops habit: Boston Celtics: 2016 Offseason Grades

The Sixers are ready to take the next step toward becoming team on the rise, but it will take time. This summer did little to streamline the process for the short-term, but with Simmons, Saric, Luwawu and Embiid onboard, Philadelphia has plenty to be excited about next season and far beyond it.

Grade: B+