Projecting the Philadelphia 76ers' 2015 Free-Agency Big Board
The Philadelphia 76ers are finishing the NBA's 2014-15 season with a better-than-expected record, and ending the year with some wins could prove to be important for the team's free-agency big board.
A 17-53 record is proof of how bad the Sixers are at tanking. General manager Sam Hinkie has done everything possible to dismantle the roster and force the organization into the basement.
It just hasn't worked out too well.
Philly has the league's third-worst record, which means that if the season ended today, it could end up with as bad as the No. 6 pick in the 2015 draft if the ping-pong balls don't fall its way. Winning games has clearly affected the potential for a top draft pick, but it could be a sign of a brighter future to upcoming free agents.
A future worthy enough to even draw in a big name.
It comes with an asterisk, though. This summer's free-agency period could be skewed by the demand to watch basketball at its highest level.
The NBA signed a new television deal worth $24 billion last fall that will likely lead to a high number of one-year contracts during the upcoming free-agency period because of a boosted 2016 salary cap.
Bleacher Report's NBA senior writer Howard Beck wrote an article detailing how it could affect next year's salary cap. Here's what franchises are afraid of:
"The dramatic revenue infusion will produce a likewise dramatic increase in the 2016 salary cap—a leap of $17 million to $24 million, by various team-produced projections—and that’s where the problems begin.
The cap for next season is projected to be $67 million.
One team expects it to rise to $84 million in 2016. Another team believes it will be closer to $91 million—with an additional leap to $127 million in 2017.
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The drastic increase could certainly end up leading to some weird negotiations in the following month—something the Sixers will likely get involved in.
With that said, here's a look at some of Philadelphia's targets and its 2015 free-agency big board.
Target No. 1: K.J. McDaniels
Type: Restricted
Finding a way to get McDaniels back on the Sixers' roster sounds like a magic trick with Sam Hinkie's name written all over it.
Trading him to the Houston Rockets at the deadline for Isaiah Canaan and a second-round draft pick came out of nowhere. The Sixers selected him with the No. 32 pick in the draft, and it appeared as though Philly had come away with an absolute steal.
Dealing McDaniels made it look like he was dispensable, when it could have been part of a bigger plan.
Here's a look at his numbers in Philadelphia versus Houston. There's a pretty stark difference in both production and opportunity:
| Team | Minutes | Points | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 25.4 | 9.2 | 1.3 | 3.8 | 1.3 | 0.8 |
| Houston Rockets | 2.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
There isn't a similarity to be found between how McDaniels performed with both teams.
Working his way into Houston's rotation hasn't worked out thus far, and it likely won't change down the road. Philly offers him a chance to have a role, and one which will likely be important.
And nobody knows it better than McDaniels.
Target No. 2: Ed Davis
Type: Player Option
Davis has played on three teams in the past five years, and it's becoming increasingly clear his future in the league is as a strong role player.
The Sixers would be a perfect fit for what he brings to the table.
He's currently averaging 8.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in only 23.8 minutes per game. The most important part of his situation with the Los Angeles Lakers is how he has only started 24 of the team's 68 games. It proves how productive Davis can be off the bench.
Add in the fact of him only being 26 years old next year, and he looks like a potential option as a backup big for the young Philadelphia squad.
Target No. 3: Austin Rivers
Type: Unrestricted
The trend has been established, but adding young talent to Philly's already youthful roster only makes sense. The price is generally lower, and there's more room for a surprise in finding a potential franchise-caliber player buried among free agents under the age of 25.
Just ask the Sixers and Robert Covington.
Austin Rivers is in his third NBA season and could be worth a look as he provides exactly what Philadelphia is looking for.
He's slightly undersized at 6'4", but he makes up for it by being able to attack the basket with consistency and an ability to defend both point and shooting guards. Rivers is only playing in 19.3 minutes per game with the Los Angeles Clippers, but he's managing to average 0.8 steals in the process. There's also a real possibility of him turning into a weapon if he's ever able to find a jumper.
Rivers offers the perfect buy-low situation with a chance of it turning into something more valuable in the end. It wouldn't harm the Sixers in any way, either.
Sleeper Target: Kawhi Leonard
Type: Restricted
The unique aspect to Leonard's situation is that he is a big-name restricted free agent. The San Antonio Spurs have the ability to match any offer if they truly want him to stay with the reigning NBA champions, but it will likely come at a very high price.
Zach Buckley wrote an article for Bleacher Report about the 2015 free-agency market and why Leonard looks like an attractive target. Here's what he had to say:
"It's a good year for glue guys and a great time to be able to thrive in multiple roles. Reigning NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard checks off both boxes now and seems capable of doing so much more going forward.
He's a defensive pest, the league leader in thefts and a smart player who won't find himself out of position. He plays like a complementary scorer at the other end but shows flashes of primary potential. He averaged 23.7 points on 68.7 percent shooting the final three games of last season's championship series and has tallied 20 points on 53.1 percent shooting over his last 10 outings.
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Philadelphia has the highest cap space among all 30 NBA teams. There will be a major jump in the salary cap at the end of next year, but the potential for more money down the road might not be enough to justify passing it up during the present.
There's a real chance of Leonard getting some kind of max offer this summer. Passing up a five-year, $90 million deal for a couple extra million in two years might not be worth it—especially when signing a max deal this offseason will make him a free agent again at the age of 28, right in the middle of his prime.
The Sixers need an elite wing who is just as committed to playing defense as he is offense. Leonard's length, athleticism and defensive dominance might as well be a sticky note on his forehead saying "perfect fit."
We'll get an opportunity to see if the Sixers are reading it or not.
Zachary Arthur is a Featured Columnist for the Sixers on Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @Zach_ArthurSLC for thoughts on everything basketball.
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