Report: Philadelphia 76ers interested in signing Robert Covington to contract extension

According to a recent report, the Philadelphia 76ers could be interested in extending the contract of forward Robert Covington.

In a move that could have huge implications, the Philadelphia 76ers are potentially looking at signing forward Robert Covington to a contract extension this summer.

According to a recent report by Michael Kaskey-Blomain of ESPN South Jersey, the Sixers are interested in extending Covington this offseason, “according to a source with team knowledge.”

The Sixers currently have a team option to take up his $1.6 million contract for the 2017-18 season. However, Covington would then become an unrestricted free agent, therefore making the Sixers vulnerable to losing the small forward for nothing.

Covington, 26, averaged 12.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals in 31.6 minutes per game. His 1.9 steals ranked fourth in the league over the regular season, marking the third consecutive season of averaging at least 1.4 per game.

In a recent interview, head coach Brett Brown highlighted Covington’s continued growth:

"“He’s now recognized as an elite NBA wing defender – by metrics, by the smart opinions of people around the league…I see him as a legitimate two-way player.”"

The Sixers currently have an enormous amount of salary cap space, with just $50.8 million currently committed, with the salary cap increasing to $102 million for the 2017-18 season.

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However, committing to Covington likely restricts some of the potential moves that Sixers’ president of basketball operations, Bryan Colangelo, and his front office may have pursued. Free-agents such as Gordon Hayward and Otto Porter are just some of the names on the open market this summer. Although Covington’s extension wouldn’t kick in until the 2018-19 season, it would preclude a section of players that the Sixers may have otherwise considered.

Aside from limiting the free agent outlook this summer, re-signing Covington will come at a price. A comparative contract signing from this past offseason is Evan Turner of the Portland Trail Blazers. Turner, 28, signed a four-year, $70 million contract. It wouldn’t be inconceivable that Covington is offered a contract roughly in the same ball park. In other words, it won’t come cheap.

Although Covington has steadily improved in his three seasons in Philadelphia, the Sixers will also have some other players to consider next summer. Center Joel Embiid and guard Nick Stauskas will be coming out of contract, while the team has an option on the contract of forward/center Jahlil Okafor.

Colangelo may have hinted last month that re-signing Covington was a real possibility this summer. In his exit interview press conference, Colangelo stated:

"“Robert Covington is a valued piece of this organization. He’s really evolved into a player that we want to make part of this organization on a longer term basis….He deserves a lot of credit for what he has done as a young player. (He) committed to getting better and has become a really solid, established player at that 3 and D wing position.”"

While extending Covington makes sense on a number of levels, it doesn’t come without some risk. Although he has improved each season in Philadelphia, Covington’s shooting is still a concern. Over his three years with the Sixers, Covington has yet to break the 40.0 percent barrier from the field. Furthermore, his three-point shooting last season of 33.3 percent was unsavory considering his high volume of 6.1 attempts per game.

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Nonetheless, all Sixers fans should have faith in Colangelo and his staff to come to the right decision regarding the future of both the franchise and Covington alike.