Sixers will give Bayless chance to show what he's got
SALT LAKE CITY - Jerryd Bayless is a good shooter. He's versatile. He can play both guard positions. He has toughness, and he's a defender.
SALT LAKE CITY - Jerryd Bayless is a good shooter.
He's versatile. He can play both guard positions. He has toughness, and he's a defender.
But most important for the 76ers, he's a veteran who knows the game and can help mentor younger players.
The eight-year NBA journeyman was a solid free-agent acquisition for the Sixers. The point guard agreed to a three-year, $27 million contract on Friday. New deals cannot be made official until 12:01 a.m. Thursday. That's when Bayless can sign his contract. Until then, the Sixers are not permitted to comment on his oral commitment to join the team.
The Sixers will be Bayless' eighth NBA team after he was selected 11th overall in the 2008 NBA draft following one season at Arizona. But that's a little misleading, considering the Indiana Pacers traded him to the Portland Trail Blazers 13 days after drafting him.
He's never been on a team longer than two seasons. The 27-year-old is coming to Philly after spending the last two years with the Milwaukee Bucks.
"I definitely learned a lot and evolved as a player with the Bucks," Bayless tweeted Friday night. "I am excited to start a new chapter with the Philadelphia 76ers and am thankful for the opportunity to get back on the court to continue playing this game."
The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder probably wouldn't be a starter on a good team. He has started in only 81 of his 510 career games.
Eighteen of his starts came last season because of the benching of former Sixer Michael Carter-Williams and injuries to O.J. Mayo and Greivis Vasquez. Those 18 starts were one less than his career high despite his being sidelined 30 games with ankle and knee injuries.
Bayless was a fan favorite in Milwaukee for being a consummate pro and being the clubhouse leader.
It also didn't hurt that he ranked fifth in the NBA in three-point percentage (43.7) last season. Developing into a spot-up shooter, Bayless took 53 percent of his field-goal attempts from beyond the three-point line. He averaged 10.4 points and 3.1 assists in 28.9 minutes per game.
And although he was listed as a point guard, Bayless mostly played off the ball. He even deferred ballhandling duties to Giannis Antetokounmpo in the second half of the season.
His style of play will mesh well with that of first overall pick Ben Simmons. The Sixers want the rookie forward to get rebounds, lead the fastbreak, and initiate the offense in certain situations. The Sixers see the 6-10, 243-pounder as a locomotive who can pass and handle the ball.
The Sixers haven't finished reshaping a roster that is overloaded with post players. We will find out whether Bayless is a starter or a backup once transformation is complete. But one thing's for sure: He was a good addition on Friday after the Sixers lost point guard Ish Smith in free agency to the Detroit Pistons.
Bayless should also be good for the development of point guard T.J. McConnell, who will be entering his second year. Former Arizona Wildcats, they'll probably also have stories to share on road trips.
And let's not discount that this is also a perfect opportunity for Bayless to stick with a team. So he'll be motivated to display his leadership, toughness, and long-range shooting ability.
@PompeyOnSixers