The Philadelphia 76ers got an unexpected shot in the arm after Chris Paul was traded to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. With CP3 bound to play in Texas next season, the Los Angeles Clippers aren’t longer appealing destination for sharpshooter J.J Redick. The Sixers, who direly need shooters around Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, are poised to place an irresistible offer for the gun-slinging vet.
Sixers want shooter big time
Redick, who averaged 15 points on 44 percent FG shooting and 42 percent from beyond the arc last season, has been on the Sixers’ radar since the end of the regular-season.
According to Kevin O’Connor of the Ringer, the Sixers and the Brooklyn Nets are the two strongest suitors for the veteran shooters. “Multiple league sources I’ve spoken to expect the Sixers and Nets to make a hard push at Redick. Were he to go to either of those teams, Redick could receive an opportunity, unlike anything he’s had before,” per the Ringer.
O’Connor added Redick is expected to get more attempts from trades in either of these teams. Last season with the Clips, Redick had a career-high 6.0 three-point attempts per game – which is still a bit low compared to other great shooters like Klay Thompson and Eric Gordon, who both jacked up 8 three pointers a game. While he’s not considered a max player, Redick will likely get a contract that pays him at least $18 million per year while playing near his Brooklyn home.
As for the Clippers, the franchise is projected to have $70million + in cap space during the summer of 2018 as a result of CP3 trade and impending Redick’s departure.
Carmelo Anthony to Sixers
Frank Isola of the New York Daily News reported that Carmelo Anthony is open to playing with the Washington Wizards or the rising Philadelphia 76ers.
Adrian Wojnarowksi of the Vertical of Yahoo Sports also confirmed the Knicks remain interested in trading Melo despite relieving Phil Jackson from his duty as president of basketball operations. In addition, Woj reiterated no buyout negotiation is expected to happen between Melo and the Knicks since the team wants to maximize the player’s trade value.
Even before the Knicks fired Jackson, Anthony was already considering the Sixers as a possible trade destination because of its proximity to New York where his son currently stays. “Anthony, according to the same source, was toying with the idea of orchestrating a move to either Philadelphia or Washington, which would keep him close to New York,” per Isola.
The Sixers have put up an impressive roster of young talents spearheaded by Joel Embiid, and back-to-back no.1 overall picks Markelle Fultz and Ben Simmons. After a long absence in the postseason, the Sixers are expected to make some noise next year with a much better lineup, though they would need some veterans to steer them to their goal.
