Sixers bring back JJ Redick, pursue Jamal Crawford on second day of NBA free agency

After getting JJ Redick to agree to a one-year deal, the Sixers are now chasing after Jamal Crawford.

JJ Redick agreed to come back to the Sixers on a one-year deal worth about $12 or $13 million.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer

Updated Jul. 2, 2018, 6:47 p.m. ET

Published Jul. 2, 2018, 1:00 p.m. ET

JJ Redick is about to re-sign with the 76ers, and the team has some interest in also adding one of his former teammates.

League sources confirm that the shooting guard accepted a one-year deal Monday, worth around $12 million or $13 million, to remain with the Sixers. Meanwhile, another source said the team is showing some interest in guard Jamal Crawford, who played with Redick with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Redick signed a one-year, $23 million contract with the Sixers on July 8, 2017. He was always a serious option to return, especially if the Sixers were unable to lure LeBron James or Paul George in free agency. James committed to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday; George announced he'll remain with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night.

With Redick returning, the Sixers will have around $13 million in cap space to lure free agents.

Redick, 34, was a huge asset for the Sixers this past season on and off the court. The 12-year veteran had career highs in points (17.1 average) and rebounds (2.5), and shot 46 percent on three-pointers. He also was the vocal leader of the team. All one had to do was watch Redick during a break in the action to understand how much he dictated the goal-setting.

He helped coach his teammates. He even challenged them during a timeout when the Sixers had opened up a commanding, 72-50 lead with 8 minutes, 36 seconds left in the third quarter against the Brooklyn Nets on April 3 at the Wells Fargo Center.

"I basically said, 'Let's not let this lead get under 22,' " Redick said after the 121-95 victory.

The addition of Crawford would make a lot of sense for the Sixers. The three-time Sixth Man of the Year would provide much-needed help from the bench. The Sixers would also get another shooter and a great leader. The 18-year veteran was named the NBA Teammate of the Year for 2017-18.

The 6-foot-5 Crawford, who turned 38 in March, averaged 10.3 points in just 20.7 minutes per game this past season with the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was his lowest minutes average since he played just 17.2 as a Chicago Bulls rookie in 2000-01. He also shot 90.3 percent from the foul line.

A big-game player, Crawford stepped up his game in this season's opening-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets. Crawford averaged 11.8 points and shot 41.2 percent on three-pointers as Minnesota lost the series in five games. He also averaged 2.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and one steal in 24.6 minutes. His best game was Game 5, as he scored 20 points on 8-for-10 shooting.

But Crawford is a consistent double-digit scorer, with averages of at least 10 points in 16 consecutive seasons. The Seattle native has career averages of 15 points and 3.4 assists and is shooting 86.2 percent from the foul line.

He became a free agent after declining his $4.5 million option with Minnesota for next season. The Sixers have around $13 million available in cap space and are looking for contributions from a reserve guard. That's because Marco Belinelli, last season's sixth man, has agreed to a two-year, $12 million contract with the San Antonio Spurs and because the Sixers are looking to trade Jerryd Bayless or buy out his contract.

However, Golden State all-stars Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and Draymond Green are pushing for the NBA-champion Warriors to sign Crawford.

Free agents may sign deals after the NBA moratorium ends at noon Friday. Free agency began at 12:01 a.m. Sunday.