Three Free Agents Doc Could Want on the Sixers
Newly signed Sixers’ head coach Doc Rivers will soon be eyeing up the upcoming crop of free agents to bring in for next season.
The luxury of quickly filling a coaching vacancy is that the team can focus on the season ahead much sooner, and there may be no more important facet of the upcoming season for the Sixers than free agency.
Here are three players who Doc Rivers would most want on the Sixers’ roster next season.
Jerami Grant
A caveat for Jerami Grant is that he is not actually a free agent, he has a Player Option he could opt into to return to the Denver Nuggets. However, all signs are pointing to Grant opting out to pursue more money from Denver or another location.
Photo: Getty Images
Why not bring Grant back to where he started his career?
Grant is a versatile defender who is more than capable on the offensive end averaging over 11 points per game over the last two seasons. Grant has a long frame which, when combined with his defense and his ability to put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket, is the exact recipe the Sixers have utilized with players like Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris. Grant has also been improving his outside shot. He is not currently at the level of a shooter the Sixers would need, but the threat of the outside shot mixed with the ability to score off of the dribble is the formula that makes Tobias so successful.
The Sixers should heavily pursue Grant if he chooses to opt-out.
Danilo Gallinari
The exact kind of player the Sixers need is a spot-up shooter who is capable of defense and can drive if need be. What better role player for the Sixers than Danilo Gallinari? Gallinari is an unrestricted free agent and could be on the move from Oklahoma City. What better place to go than to reunite with the coach who got the most out of him, than Philadelphia to reunite with Doc.
If Doc could pursue Gallinari to come to Philadelphia on a team-friendly deal, there may be no better fit team-wise and salary cap-wise. When media people talk about surrounding Ben Simmons with spot-up shooters, the biggest problem is they mostly name players who give it up on the other end (defense) and are one-dimensional offensively. Gallinari is not an incredible defender, but he is more than capable, he has a suitable length and can get to the rim.
If Doc could pursue any of his former players to join him, please persuade Gallinari.
Evan Fournier
We’ve talked about Evan Fournier and the desire to bring him to Philadelphia before, but it bears repeating. Fournier is the exact shooter from the guard position the Sixers need. Both Grant and Gallinari are great fits, but they’re forwards. If you had to pick one position that is the weak point of the Sixers roster, it’s the guards. Unproven and young talent or less than stellar talent, the Sixers need better guard play.
Fournier is also a case of the Player Option, so nothing is guaranteed. However, if he does opt out, the Sixers should make a reasonable offer. He would most likely want around the same level of compensation he is receiving now as he hasn’t shown any decline in his game, but asking for too much would be a definite turn-off for the Sixers who are already strapped for cap space.
Who do you think the Sixers should try to bring in?
Featured Image: Getty Images
Discover more from Philadelphia Sports Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.