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The Whiteboard: The Philadelphia 76ers could use Jerryd Bayless

By Ti Windisch

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 25: Jerryd Bayless #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball against the New York Knicks on December 25, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Matteo Marchi/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 25: Jerryd Bayless #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball against the New York Knicks on December 25, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Matteo Marchi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia 76ers could use some positive contributions courtesy of Jerryd Bayless this season.

Jerryd Bayless looked like a whole new player the season before signing with the Philadelphia 76ers. Bayless hit 43.7 percent of his threes in his last year with the Milwaukee Bucks, and Philly, needing a point guard, clearly saw Bayless as a capable fill-in.

What the Sixers must not have noticed about Bayless’ last Bucks season was the other thing that made it stand out–all the games he missed. Bayless certainly helped Milwaukee in the games he played, but he wasn’t much use in the 30 he missed that year.

In two Philly seasons, Bayless has played in just 42 combined games. With Markelle Fultz and T.J. McConnell on the roster as well, he might not play a ton more this season. The 76ers could end up needing him to continue his sharpshooting ways.

Philly got a huge boost from Ersan Ilyasova and Marco Belinelli last season, both of whom provided some much needed spacing. Both players are now elsewhere, leaving a big shooting hole to fill in Philadelphia. A few rookies, Fultz, and Wilson Chandler will all do something to fill it, but Bayless could provide some help as well.

If he’s healthy, Jerryd Bayless has shown he can provide the spacing that teams so value. Unfortunately, that’s a huge if.

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