1. Tony Snell, Milwaukee Bucks
Now in his fifth season in the league, Snell has carved out a niche as a true “3-and-D” guy on the perimeter. At 6’7″, and with a seven-foot wingspan, Snell has the size and quickness to cover a number of positions on the floor.
Currently, Snell possesses a defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions) of 108.0, after posting a rating of 108.2 last season. While these numbers certainly aren’t flattering, you only need to revert back to the 2015-16 season, where he was a key role for the Chicago Bulls under head coach Tom Thibodeau. That season, Snell delivered a defensive rating of 97.0, which ranked eighth in the league among all players who averaged at least 20 minutes per game.
His prowess at this end of the floor was highlighted in his scouting report from Draft Express after coming out of the University of New Mexico:
"Defensively, Snell’s physical tools make him an intriguing piece, as he has the size, length, and lateral quickness to be a versatile defender capable of defending both wing positions. If he makes a commitment to focusing on the defensive end, it would go a long ways towards helping him solidify a role at the NBA level. He’ll need to continue to get stronger and play tougher, but he certainly has the potential to excel on this end of the floor."
Furthermore, Snell has proven himself to be a consistent knockdown shooter, with a career 37.9 percent shooting clip from downtown. This season, he’s shooting a career-high 41.4 percent, averaging 7.9 points in 29.1 minutes per game.
In terms of his fit with the Sixers, Snell’s versatility at both ends of the floor means he would be capable of backing up J.J. Redick and Robert Covington at the 2 and 3 spots.
The deal proposed would assist the Sixers with their depth at both ends of the floor, while providing the Bucks with increased salary cap flexibility moving forward, as Booker’s $9.1 million salary expires after this season. With three years and $36.2 million remaining on his deal after this season, this provides the Bucks with the room to extend the soon-to-return Jabari Parker at the conclusion of the season.
At 26, and with some postseason experience already under his belt, Snell provides a terrific fit all-around fit for coach Brown and the Sixers moving forward. Of the three options mentioned, although he has the longest running contract, Snell’s versatility and ability to contribute at both ends of the floor make him the most desirable asset of the trio.
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But most importantly, Snell doesn’t require the ball in his hands to make a difference. With Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and backup T.J. McConnell handling majority of the ball-handling duties, Snell should seamlessly fit into the Sixers’ high-tempo offense. With a usage rate of just 10.9 this season, Snell’s complementary style would make for a welcome addition.