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Philadelphia 76ers: 2016 Offseason Grades

By Gerald Bourguet

Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons (25) and number twenty-fourth overall draft pick Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (20) pose for a photo at a press conference at the Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons (25) and number twenty-fourth overall draft pick Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (20) pose for a photo at a press conference at the Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Philadelphia 76ers
Mar 21, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Jerryd Bayless (19) calls out a play during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

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