2018 NBA free agency grades: 76ers adding Nemanja Bjelica
By Derek Hryn
The Philadelphia 76ers haven’t wasted any time in filling the open spots on their roster, with Nemanja Bjelica being the most recent addition.
The Philadelphia 76ers and free agent Nemanja Bjelica agreed to a one-year, $4.4 million deal on Thursday, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
After losing Ersan Ilyasova and Marco Belinelli to free agency in the past week, the Sixers have found two new players they believe could become valuable replacements.
Philly recently added forward Wilson Chandler in a trade with the Denver Nuggets, and now have signed Bjelica using their room exception. Chandler will bring additional depth and versatility to the team’s wing rotation, while Bjelica will occupy another stretch-4 role.
Bjelica, 30, won the EuroLeague MVP in 2015 before playing three consecutive seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves. In 67 games played this season for Minnesota, he averaged 6.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists, but it’s his 41 percent shooting from the perimeter that really separates him from the average NBA power forward.
The 6’10” Serbian star will fit into the empty spot in the power forward rotation left by Ilyasova’s departure, as he should aid in the exemplary floor-spacing that pushed the Sixers to 52 victories last year. Bjelica may not be a player that will light up a stat sheet, but the Euro essence of his game is something that cannot be overlooked.
Bjelica gives head coach Brett Brown’s offense a more athletic presence than what they had in Ilyasova, and another fearless outside threat to help spread the floor for point guard Ben Simmons and All-Star center Joel Embiid. He should be an essential help on the defensive end with his frame and movement. He will also benefit from sharing time with another former EuroLeague star in Dario Saric.
The Sixers will surely miss everything that Ilyasova and Belinelli brought to the court last season, but they may have already built a better bench for a much lesser price than expected, as each of their moves thus far in free agency have been for short-term deals.
They have yet to establish which of their assets will be making the final 15-man roster by next season.
The team has 19 total players, not including the draft-and-stash product of Jonah Bolden, who recently told Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer that he plans to join the roster next season.
The Sixers have now shifted their attention to adding quality pieces for next season. They re-signed their best 3-point marksman from last season in J.J. Redick, and another veteran leader in forward/center Amir Johnson — both to one-year deals. Barring any unforeseen trades, it appears the team is fixated on the talent it currently holds.
This offseason hasn’t quite lived up to expectations, as the organization whiffed on its promise of signing a star to the max deal that was originally intended for this summer. However, the additions of Chandler and Bjelica provide bench improvement, while retaining their cap room for 2018-19.
Next: 2018 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far
Grade: B+