Cooney: Free-agent talent is out there for Sixers

Cooney: Free-agent talent is out there for Sixers – Philly.com

THIS IS the most exciting free-agent period since the Sixers’ breakdown and rebuild plan began three years ago. Beginning Friday, teams around the NBA can contact free agents, and with more than $60 million under the salary cap, the 76ers have a shot at becoming big players in free agency.

As with the players the Sixers will be courting over the next several days, there are pros and cons as to why a player would consider coming to Philadelphia, a franchise that has averaged under 16 wins the previous three seasons.

The pros might be a little harder to see, but there are some. There is no question that this is a team that may have a very bright future, with Ben Simmons recently selected as the top pick and the hope that Joel Embiid and Dario Saric will be suiting up this season. The team is in a very good financial position and has many attractive draft positions in the future. The results of the past three seasons were sacrificed for just this type of turnaround and the excitement fans feel is palpable. There is a spectacular practice facility on the brink of opening in Camden – perhaps early enough to host training camp in late September – that will be like no other in the league.

The cons pertain to the amount of losing that has occurred recently. An outsider looking in only sees the record and doesn’t have a feeling for the possible uptick coming. Frankly, the organization has been a laughingstock throughout the league and a highly sought free agent might not be able to look past that when thinking of his future. There is also the concern of roster balance. Does a shooter want to come to a team that doesn’t yet have a starting point guard? Does a point guard want to come to a team that has no reliable shooters? Yes, all of these positions could be filled via free agency or trade, but who is going to be the first star-quality player to take the leap?

A point guard and quality shooters are the two primary areas of need that face president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo, but a quality perimeter defender or two is also a necessity, as well as depth at the guard spots.

All the talk about the Sixers of late has been their interest in Golden State swingman Harrison Barnes. The 6-8, 210-pounder was the seventh overall pick in 2012 and has primarily been a starter in three of his four seasons with the Warriors. He averaged 11.7 points and 4.9 rebounds this season for the Warriors, and hit on 38.3 percent of his 214 three-point attempts. He is a capable defender on the perimeter and obviously knows what winning is about in the NBA. The wonder, though, is just how much did he profit from being on the court with two of the world’s best shooters in Steph Curry and Klay Thompson? Playing with those two certainly opens many avenues on the floor and Barnes prospered from that. Should he come here, that wouldn’t be the case. So you have to wonder what more the 24-year-old would bring to the table. Perhaps his game grows more when he is given more offensive responsibility. Or maybe his numbers are inflated due to his teammates.

If the Sixers are going to offer Barnes a max deal, they better be sure he fits. There can be no doubt whatsoever. As I’ve said before, if you’ve gone to these depths to be in this rebuilding position, you have to be sure of every move you make. So what if they don’t sign a max guy right now? Maybe getting a few cheaper pieces who pan out isn’t so bad. I don’t see Barnes being the max guy and leading this team into the future. There are others that should be on Colangelo’s radar.

Looking at shooters, I don’t think DeMar DeRozan is going to leave the Toronto Raptors, so scratch him from the list. Atlanta’s Kent Bazemore is an enticing idea. The 6-5 shooter is unrestricted and probably would cost somewhere in the $12 million to $18 million-a-year range. The 27-year-old wants to return to Atlanta, but he may not be in their plans, especially if the Hawks are going to pursue Kevin Durant. He would be a terrific get for the Sixers, even if the price is a bit too high.

Another hot name is Portland’s Allen Crabbe. The 6-foot-6, 24-year-old is a restricted free agent and it would be hard to see the Trail Blazers letting him go. The same goes for Orlando’s Evan Fournier. The 23-year-old shot 40 percent from three last season and averaged 15.4 points. He will be a key piece for new coach Frank Vogel. I also don’t expect the Washington Wizards to part with Bradley Beal.

The Lakers’ Jordan Clarkson is more of a scorer than a shooter, and that really doesn’t fit into the Sixers’ plans. Dion Waiters of Oklahoma City is intriguing, but the Sixers are concerned about a negative environment in his hometown, according to a source.

Does the name Arron Afflalo, 30, do anything for you? Ryan Anderson, of New Orleans, is still only 28 and seems to be healthy again. Maybe he deserves a look.

Courtney Lee would be a terrific fit, as he doesn’t need to dominate the ball in order to get his shot, and made nearly 38 percent of his threes this season with Memphis and Charlotte. He is 30, but the price shouldn’t be a killer. And in New Orleans guard Eric Gordon, the Sixers would be getting a career 38.3 percent three-point shooter, though he has battled injuries throughout his career.

As for point guard, it doesn’t seem possible the Sixers will be a player for Memphis’ Mike Conley. Actually, no one will except Memphis, which will offer him a huge contract to stay. Unless the Sixers take a shot at Rajon Rondo, you are looking at second-tier types, including Brandon Jennings, Jeremy Lin and Matthew Dellavedova.

If the team doesn’t land Barnes, expect big money to go to a sharpshooter. The point guard spot may have to be filled via trade, or maybe the Sixers will settle for a second-tier, pass-first player to fit with Simmons.

If a big move is made, it has to be a good fit. Even in their situation, the Sixers can’t overpay just for the sake of doing so. There is still plenty of time to get where they want to go.

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