The Philadelphia 76ers did not have much money to play with in the 2021 offseason in order to improve their team and try to build off the success of the 2020-21 season where the No. 1 seed and a game away from the Eastern Conference finals.
Despite the lack of money, the Sixers went out and made some really solid moves. They brought in former 2-time All-Star Andre Drummond on a veteran’s minimum deal while also bringing in Georges Niang on a 2-year $6.8 million deal. Those two additions have been very good for Philadelphia off their bench unit.
The team also re-signed Danny Green and Furkan Korkmaz to deals to help keep some continuity going. Green is a huge part of what the Sixers do on the offensive end while Korkmaz is a valued bench player.
In a grading system put together by Bleacher Report, they gave the Sixers an A for their free agency moves:
Getting Drummond on a minimum deal is incredible value, as he’s been worth $15.5 million this season, per ProFitX.com. Somehow still managing to grab double-digit rebounds per game despite playing primarily as a reserve, Drummond did average 8.6 points, 13.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.5 blocks in 10 games as a starter with Joel Embiid out with COVID-19.
Green continues to bring spacing to the Sixers, as his 41.9 percent mark from three leads the team. His defense has slipped now at age 34, but his contract could be key to matching money in future deals.
Niang is averaging a career-high 11.2 points per game, and Korkmaz has once again been an important rotation piece. Getting both for less than $8 million per season is a huge win.
Please note that Niang is now averaging 10.8 points per game, but it is still a career-high and the point still remains that he has been a big addition to the team’s bench unit. Drummond is averaging 6.2 points, but he is pulling down 9.7 rebounds in his reserve role so the two additions have proven their worth.
This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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