5 Best Value Free Agents Philadelphia 76ers Can Pursue in 2015 NBA Free Agency
The Philadelphia 76ers are in a prime position to make a splash during the 2015 NBA offseason, and a crucial aspect will be their ability to find the best value free agents during the free-agency period that begins July 1.
Players like Kawhi Leonard, Marc Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge headline this year's free-agent class. They will likely see max contracts thrown their way from a number of teams and get the chance to decide on where they'll play for the next couple of years.
These are easily the most talented players, but they will also require the highest price tags. It's not a situation that Philadelphia needs to jump into right now.
The Sixers need to use the free-agency period to get people who fill specific needs along with a lower contract. The NBA's cap space is expected to hit a record level during next year's offseason, according to DraftExpress.com's Jonathan Givony (h/t Pro Basketball Talk), and they should be looking to spend big then.
Add in the true likelihood of any top free agents signing with Philly, and there's just need to rush it.
Sporting News' Daniel Leroux wrote an article about how Philadelphia is set up to financially dominate this offseason, as they only have about $26 million tied up in contracts next year. He describes the 2016 cap space and its massive increase as well:
"The timing is right. While the NBA's maximum salary in the past was reserved for elite players (who were underpaid anyway, relative to their real value), the cap's huge jump coming in the 2016 offseason and continuing for a few years after that because of TV money puts contracts signed now in a very different light. For instance, current estimates say that the first year of a maximum contract next season will be around $15.8 million, while in 2017, that number will be around $25.4 million.
This summer may not determine the direction of the franchise, but Philadelphia has the chance to make major waves in its team-building process. And in the process, the 76ers could become the bane of all 29 other teams in free agency.
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The Sixers' fortunes are definitely trending up, and here's a list of the best value free agents for them to continue that trend.
5. Wayne Ellington, SF, Unrestricted
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Wayne Ellington is an NBA journeyman who has played for five teams in six seasons. He hasn't found a way to stick in one particular location based on crowded backcourts and a number of situations just not being right.
It could be the perfect time for him to just come home.
Ellington was in the center of one of last year's most tragic moments in the NBA. His father was murdered while in Philadelphia, and it led to Ellington taking an indefinite leave of absence from the Los Angeles Lakers. His true professionalism was put on display as he was able to be very productive once he returned to playing.
It was an incredible thing to watch.
Ellington is an undersized shooting guard at 6'4" but makes up for it with his shooting touch. He's demonstrated an ability to key in from beyond the arc with a career 38.2 three-point percentage on 2.5 attempts per game.
He brings exactly what the Sixers are missing.
Philadelphia doesn't have a consistent, veteran three-point threat off the bench who is capable of occasionally stepping into a starting role. Ellington would give the Sixers' second unit a scoring punch to help them not fall behind after the first 10 minutes of the game.
He made just over $1 million this past year and shouldn't demand much more than that in his next deal.
It would turn him into a great value pickup for Philadelphia. Especially since he might want to clear his mind and play in his hometown.
4. Mike Dunleavy, SF, Unrestricted
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Adding a 34-year-old who is clearly past his prime might sound like a poor play, but it could be a great move for the Sixers and their young squad.
Mike Dunleavy is still finding a way to contribute in the final stages of his career. He started in all 63 of his regular-season games and was a major factor in giving the Chicago Bulls a chance to get to the Eastern Conference Finals.
His averages of 10.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists were impressive, but it was his shooting numbers that really looked good. Dunleavy shot 48.2 percent from three-point range while averaging 4.7 attempts per game. He also made a ridiculous 94.7 percent of his free throws.
A solid skill set is one thing, but imagine what he'll be able to teach guys like Robert Covington, Hollis Thompson and Jerami Grant. Finding the open space, shooting with balance and moving without the basketball will be at the top of the list. Dunleavy has 13 years of experience to work with and eventually teach off.
He would become a valuable resource moving forward.
Philadelphia only had one player over the age of 29 last season in Jason Richardson. Adding a veteran presence on the wing will help to set the foundation moving forward.
It's just a matter of if Dunleavy wants to play for a contender or a developing team in the final years of his career. He's been on a string of solid teams for the past couple of seasons, so it would require that the Sixers overpay to get the chance to lure him in.
It could be worth it seeing as how they have the money to do so right now.
3. Austin Rivers, PG/SG, Unrestricted
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Signing Austin Rivers is a quintessential low-risk, high-reward situation.
His 25 points in 23 minutes against the Houston Rockets in the second round of the playoffs shocked a national audience.
Rivers would end up struggling during the rest of the series, but sometimes it only takes one game to prove your worth.
It came at the perfect time, as he's gearing up for the offseason, where he's an unrestricted free agent.
Rivers settles for far too many jumpers, tries to take his man off the dribble at the wrong time and can appear overconfident. Still, though, he finished his third season in the league and is only 22 years old. He has plenty of time to mature as a player. He could be the ideal backup as the Sixers look for a franchise-caliber point and shooting guards.
He clearly has an incentive to stay with the Clippers since his father, Doc Rivers, is the head coach. It's a dream-like situation that somehow managed to happen.
Would Austin Rivers really take a deal elsewhere to split them up?
That remains to be seen. However, the Sixers would be a great situation for a young combo guard looking to resurrect his career.
2. Kosta Koufos, C, Unrestricted
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Kosta Koufos has solidified himself as one of the NBA's most reliable backup big men after his recent stint with the Memphis Grizzlies.
He has played for four teams in his seven seasons and began to truly contribute during the 2011-12 year with the Denver Nuggets. It was Koufos' first time getting over 15 minutes, five points and five rebounds per game over the course of 82 games.
His numbers weren't the only thing to improve, though.
His presence has consistently led to an improved record by the team he has played for. Here's a visual example of how Koufos has impacted a franchise by his arrival and departure:
| Year | Team | Record | Record Without Koufos the Following Season |
| 2011-12 | Denver Nuggets | 38-28 | Stayed with Denver |
| 2012-13 | Denver Nuggets | 57-25 | 36-46 |
| 2013-14 | Memphis Grizzlies | 52-30 | Stayed with Memphis |
| 2014-15 | Memphis Grizzlies | 55-27 | To Be Determined |
Having him behind Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid could end up being critical down the road. Few teams have a second unit that can have a 7'0", 265-pound center, and he could create matchup problems for the opposition.
ESPN.com's Marc Stein (h/t CBS Sports' Ruben Palacios) reported that Koufos wants a starting job, which means the Sixers would likely have to spend more to secure him as a backup.
Koufos is the kind of player who might be worth it, though.
He would be the perfect value pickup, as his experience and skill level would do wonders for helping to mentor Noel and Embiid moving forward.
1. K.J. McDaniels, SG, Restricted
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Getting K.J. McDaniels back from the Houston Rockets after trading him halfway through the season would go down as one of general manager Sam Hinkie's finest moves.
McDaniels is a restricted free agent, meaning that the Rockets can match an offer if any team makes one, but there's little reason to think that they will. He was playing great with the Sixers until they dealt him at the deadline. His time in Houston could either give a glimpse into how it feels about his potential future in Texas or into a developing plan that's still in the works.
It can be hard to tell with a rookie on a team full of veterans at the same position.
| Team | Minutes Per Game | Points Per Game | Assists Per Game | Rebounds Per Game | Steals Per Game | Blocks Per Game |
| Philadelphia 76ers (52 Games) | 25.4 | 9.2 | 1.3 | 3.8 | 0.8 | 1.3 |
| Houston Rockets (10 Games) | 3.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.2 |
It makes all the sense in the world for Philadelphia to throw a deal his way, though. Especially since they have money available to overpay if necessary.
McDaniels' 6'6" height and athleticism allow him to guard point guards through small forwards. Add in a 6'11" wingspan, and he turns into an excellent rim protector. His 1.3 blocks per game are further evidence of that.
The Sixers can always use a versatile defender on the wing. His ability to get to the rim on the offensive end is a beautiful match for Philly's uptempo pace as well.
His familiarity with the City of Brotherly Love makes the fit that much better. It is very possible that Hinkie moved McDaniels in order to get something in return for a player who would be a restricted free agent at the end of the year anyway.
The chance to get him back during the 2015 offseason had to entice the active general manager.
McDaniels' lack of playing time toward the end of the season could also help lower the amount of money Philadelphia would have to throw at him. It's the perfect bang-for-your-buck kind of deal.
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