Free agency allows teams the opportunity to improve their roster; sever ties with overpaid players and overpay for marginal talent. The Philadelphia 76ers are a team that will naturally be very active in this years free agency market — Philadelphia has only nine players currently under contract for 2013-14. Here, we will look at each of the players that have contracts that are expiring July 1 and debate whether the Sixers should sign the player or let them go.
Royal Ivey, Point Guard
Royal Ivey is an experienced point guard who was used to provide energy and solid minutes when All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday sat on the bench. The decision to bring Ivey in last season was one that really baffled me and it is time to cut ties with Royal Ivey. He isn’t good enough to be the backup point guard; heck, he isn’t good enough to be in the NBA next season.
Verdict: let him go
Nick Young, Shooting Guard
Nick Young is great theatre — both on and off the court. He was brought in to replace Louis Williams and provide an instant scoring option from the bench. He shoots very inefficiently (.357 from 3-point range) and far too much. Simply put: Young didn’t quite live up to the expectations. As Michael Baumann put it, he is a luxury player on a good team — like the Los Angeles Clippers — but suffers on a bad team. The Sixers were really bad last season. Young can’t really be relied on to provide a scoring option; he’s too streaky of a shooter. Philly can’t afford to pay him another $6 million for the same production.
Verdict: let him go
Damien Wilkins, Small Forward
I never thought I would be arguing for the Sixers to re-sign Damien Wilkins through 2013-14. I am. He provided solid minutes last season towards the end of the season and he could be a good piece used to mentor younger players like Evan Turner. If he signs for a veteran’s minimum, that would a very shrewd move by general manager Sam Hinkie and Co.
Verdict: keep him
Doug Collins was thought to be a big fan of Kwame Brown. Photo by Keith Allison/Flickr.com
Kwame Brown, Center
Kwame Brown signed a two-year, $6 million deal with Philadelphia last summer — with a player option for the second of those. After the first year, Brown now must decide whether to come back next season or test his value in the free-agency market. He has no value. Unlucky Philly–Kwame’s coming back. I like to think of this as former coach Doug Collins‘ parting gift.
Verdict: hope he doesn’t come back
Charles Jenkins, Guard
Charles Jenkins doesn’t really have a future in Philadelphia. He only saw 12 games on the court, which suggests the Sixers organization doesn’t really see him as an option down the line. Expect to see him leave.
Verdict: let him go
Dorell Wright is an experienced player who can shoot the ball well. Photo Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr.com
Dorell Wright, Small Forward
Wright was brought in to do one thing: shoot. He didn’t really shoot great in Philly last season — less than 40 percent from 3-point range — yet he never shirked from responsibility. Last season was Wright’s worst shooting year since his rookie season. He will be better next year; I just hope that is in Philly. He’s a good locker-room guy and should be brought back on a two-year deal.
Verdict: keep him
The man at the center of the free agency period for Philly: Andrew Bynum. Photo Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr.com
Andrew Bynum, Center
While a lot of the other free-agent decisions the Sixers make will be important, none of them will affect the future of the franchise like the decision whether or not to re-sign Andrew Bynum. Andrew Bynum didn’t play a game for the Sixers last year; he didn’t show up for the team photo; he didn’t contribute ANYTHING. His knees can go at any minute and it’s probably not worth the risk — especially after the stress Bynum put Philly through this season.
Despite that, something inside of Sixers fans up-and-down the country must want Bynum to stay in Philadelphia. On his day, he can be the best center on the NBA. Sam Hinkie should — and probably will — offer Bynum a deal that has a few years guaranteed, yet won’t suffocate the Sixers for years to come should he not take to the court. However, someone else will offer him a max-deal with guaranteed years. And he’ll take it. Let him walk if that’s the case.
Verdict: try and sign him, but only at the right price.