Philadelphia 76ers: Exit Interviews Reveal Potential Player Movement

Perimeter Game

It’s certainly no surprise that outside shooting will be one of the Philadelphia 76ers’ key priorities this offseason. For this past season, the Sixers ranked 27th in field goal percentage at 44.7 percent.

Furthermore, they were 25th in 3-point percentage at 34.0 percent. And most notably, the Sixers ranked dead last in offensive rating (points per 100 possessions) at 100.7.

As Brown stated in his press conference:

"“…we are going to embrace three-point line. It will lead us in the draft, it will lead us in free-agency.”"

Small forward Robert Covington was the most frequent 3-point shooter this past season, averaging 6.1 attempts per game. He shot at the lowest percentage of any player in the league averaging at least 6.1 attempts.

Covington again failed to break the 40 percent shooting from the field barrier. This has now occurred in each of his three season in Philadelphia.

Colangelo noted on Covington’s role:

"“At the 3, Robert Covington kind of has that position locked up. Not a lot of depth at the position currently. We have some interesting draft prospects in the top 10 that could address that need.”"

Another important perimeter threat for the Sixers was Nik Stauskas. Granted, Stauskas shot a career-high 36.8 percent from downtown. But after three seasons in the league, Stauskas has yet to break the 40 percent from the field barrier.

Colangelo stated that Stauskas, “Has improved himself to be a higher consideration of the overall plan.” Brown, meanwhile, simply stated that, “We have to identify the 2-guard position.”

And while he played just three games last season after signing a three-year, $27 million contract last summer, Jerryd Bayless garnered plenty of mention. Colangelo stated:

"“Jerryd Bayless is like a free agent signing that’s already happened…a maniacal worker. First person in the gym. Every single day.”"

Bayless could certainly be one player that could address the Sixers’ shooting weakness.

Entering his ninth season next year, Bayless shot a career-best 43.7 percent from behind three in the 2015-16 season—the season before arriving in Philadelphia.

In a separate interview recently, Brown highlighted the importance of what Bayless could bring the Sixers next season:

"“It’s somebody that can guard the other point guard, it’s somebody that can make a three, it’s somebody that can bring the ball up the floor from time to time or run a second side pick and roll. I think that Jerryd does, to Bryan Colangelo’s credit, fit the qualities that we’re going to need in that position next to Ben Simmons.”"

A healthy Bayless could be invaluable.