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Philadelphia 76ers: Backup point guard options for Ben Simmons

By Simon Smith

Jan 11, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons practices prior to a game against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons practices prior to a game against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Matthew Dellavedova, Milwaukee Bucks

Unlike Collison and Mills, Dellavedova is not a free agent, still under contract for another three seasons courtesy of the deal he signed last summer. Aside from his contract status, Dellavedova certainly fits the criteria of Brown’s “defense, pace and space” motto.

When you mention Dellavedova’s name, defense and hustle are the two primary thoughts that come to mind. And it was this dogged play that earned Dellavedova his four-year, $38 million contract.

Prior to joining the Bucks, Dellavedova played a key role throughout the season that eventually led the Cleveland Cavaliers to winning the 2016 title. During his last season with the Cavaliers, Dellavedova’s defense stood out. When he was on the court, the Cavaliers allowed 99.7 points per 100 possessions, but this number rose to 104.5 when he was resting.

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    • Granted this season, Dellavedova’s defensive numbers took a hit, with a defensive rating of 107.0. Furthermore, his three-point shooting dropped 41.0 percent to a still respectable 36.7 percent. As a catch-and-shoot marksman, having good looks helps enormously for a player such as Dellavedova.

    By way of comparison, the Sixers this season ranked third in the league for three-point attempts considered open (within 4-6 feet of the closest opponent). His previous team, the Cavaliers, ranked fourth. The Bucks, meanwhile, were 28th. Overall this season, 85.9 percent of Dellavedova’s three-point attempts were assisted by a teammate.

    On the Sixers, surrounded by talent such as Joel Embiid, Simmons and potentially another big-name free agent, Dellavedova’s shooting numbers and overall defensive impact can easily return to the levels he displayed on a dominant team such as the Cavaliers.

    In terms of acquiring Dellavedova, forward/center Jahlil Okafor would be a logical target for the Bucks. With Milwaukee center Greg Monroe out of contract and no certainty to return, Okafor is on the books until the end of 2018-19 and fits the bill with the up-and-coming Bucks roster. Furthermore, the emergence of center Joel Embiid has made Okafor somewhat superfluous on the Sixers’ roster.

    A deal centering around Okafor in exchange for Dellavedova and a first round draft pick (the Bucks own all their picks through 2024) would certainly get the front offices of the respective teams talking.

    Click here to see how this deal would pan out (minus the draft pick).