The Philadelphia 76ers are yet to land the big fish they covet in free agency, but they have importantly reached an agreement with a vital cog in the 2017-18 rotation. J.J Redick is set to go around again with the Sixers on a one-year deal.
ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Philadelphia 76ers have reached an agreement to sign a one-year deal with sharpshooting veteran J.J Redick, for approximately $12-13 million.
The deal will equate to around half of what he earned on his original 12 month contract with the Sixers ($23 million), but it looms as a major boost to their chances in a wide open Eastern Conference.
After missing out on LeBron James, the Sixers moved quickly to secure Redick, and will still be left with significant cap room to fill out the roster with the required pieces. This will be crucial for Philadelphia, after losing valuable late season additions Ersan Ilyasova and Marco Belinelli in free agency’s opening 24 hours.
Philadelphia now with a projected $14M in room after the JJ Redick $12-13M one-year contract. Redick can veto any trade because of the one-year bird restriction.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 2, 2018
Redick is arguably coming off a career year in Philadelphia, averaging a career high 17.1 points per game at a very nice 42 percent clip from beyond the arc. With Belinelli and Ilyasova on the move, it became increasingly important the Sixers brought back a reliable marksman from the outside to play alongside the 3-point allergic Ben Simmons.
The day after the Sixers were knocked out of the 2018 NBA Playoffs by the Boston Celtics, ESPN reported Redick’s intentions to run it back with Philly.
"“I think it is a mutual appreciation,” Redick said “I am sure we all hope I am back.”"
While the Los Angeles Lakers were fumbling around in the post-LeBron signing haze, Redick appeared to be the perfect addition to the Lake Show, but as they were scurrying to lock down JaVale McGee and Lance Stephenson, Philadelphia ensured the former Duke standout was not going to call anywhere but the Wells Fargo Center home in 2018-19.
Lakers.
— Louie Del Rio (@louiedelrio) July 2, 2018
JJ Redick.
Collision Course.
While the Sixers will still hold out hope of securing Kawhi Leonard via trade, the one-year deal is telling, as they will no doubt launch another all out assault on big-name free agents next summer. When it’s all said and done, Redick will still have earned approximately $36 million over his two years in the City of Brotherly Love — not a bad going by any means.
Defensively, Redick is a steady hand, with his 102.1 defensive rating ranked fifth among all Sixers, and 10th league-wide among guards who had played at least 60 games.
Above all else, Redick is a winner, with his teams having reached the playoffs in each of his 12 seasons in the league. Having just turned 34, he is heading into the twilight years of his NBA career, but as a known gym rat, conditioning will not be a concern. Redick is sure to be in optimum shape come opening night, as a run at the Eastern Conference Finals ensues.
This is a terrific move by the Sixers, and one that allows them to both make a splash in the remaining free agent talent pool, while getting the chance to land a big fish next summer. Any way you slice it, the 76ers have come out winners in this deal.
Next: 2018 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far
Grade: A