Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 offseason targets for the Philadelphia 76ers

By Bryan Toporek

CLEVELAND, CA - JUN 8: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors in Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals won 108-85 by the Golden State Warriors over the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Quicken Loans Arena on June 6, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, CA - JUN 8: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball against Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors in Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals won 108-85 by the Golden State Warriors over the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Quicken Loans Arena on June 6, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 07: Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket past Tyrone Wallace #12 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of the game at the Staples Center on April 7, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 07: Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket past Tyrone Wallace #12 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of the game at the Staples Center on April 7, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images) /

5. Will Barton, SG/SF

The Boston Celtics exposed the Sixers’ lack of players capable of creating off the dribble in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. While 2017 No. 1 pick Markelle Fultz could fill that hole if he remembers how to shoot, Philly may also turn to the free-agent market to shore up that weakness.

Will Barton would make for a logical target in that scenario.

The 6’6″ swingman had a career year with the Denver Nuggets in 2017-18, finishing with a personal-best 15.7 points on 45.2 percent shooting, 5.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.9 triples in 33.1 minutes per game. He set new career highs across the board in advanced metrics, including PER, true shooting percentage, win shares and box plus/minus.

Only 50.5 percent of Barton’s made field goals were assisted this past season, far less than the likes of Robert Covington (90.4 percent), JJ Redick (83.2 percent) and Dario Saric (79.4 percent). Whether he came off the bench or replaced Redick in the starting lineup, Barton would be a valuable secondary source of shot creation whenever the offense bogged down.

Barton reportedly turned down a four-year, $42 million extension offer from the Nuggets in early October, according to ESPN.com’s Chris Haynes, which suggests the Sixers would have to shell out big bucks to snag him on a one-year deal. Then again, Barton may have woefully overestimated his market outside of the mid-level exception, especially given how few teams project to have salary-cap space this summer.

If the Sixers don’t expect to be major free-agent players either this summer or next, they may feel comfortable handing a long-term deal to the 27-year-old. Otherwise, they’d likely pursue a one-year overpay and hope Barton’s market elsewhere is chillier than expected.

Next: 4. Tyreke Evans