Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
With Ben Simmons set to become the starting floor general for the Philadelphia 76ers, here's a look at some of the ideal candidates to becoming his backup from next season.
As each day passes, it seems more and more likely that Ben Simmons will be the starting point guard of the Philadelphia 76ers next season. Although he has stated it on several occasions, head coach Brett Brown doubled down even further recently when addressing the Sixers as a whole.
Speaking on Philadelphia radio via 97.5 The Fanatic, Brown detailed how he wishes to utilize Simmons's strengths to help mold the identity of the team:
"But the speed of the game is not getting slower. And athletes aren't getting less athletic. The evolution of our game is quite clear. And so that's how we want to play — we want to get ahead of the story and run our team like that. I think Ben is the leading candidate to help facilitate all of that."
Put simply, Brown wants to emphasise his mantra of "defense, pace and space" and take it to the next level — even if this means placing the ball handling duties in the hands of a rookie.
But in order for this to be successful, Simmons is going to require a guiding hand, both on and off the floor, to help him through this maturation process. Furthermore, it needs to be a veteran who fits into the style of play that Brown and the franchise wants to instil as their calling card.
Here is a list of the best and most suitable veteran backup point guards to target this summer via either trade or free agency.
Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Darren Collison, Sacramento Kings
Darren Collison's three-year stint with the Sacramento Kings represents his longest tenure with the one team over his eight seasons in the league. The Kings were Collison's fifth team, with three of those stops consisting of just a single season. Starting in 63 of 68 games, Collison averaged 13.2 points, 4.6 assists and 1.0 steals in 30.3 minutes per game this year.
As has been the case throughout his career, Collison's shooting numbers this season were impressive. His splits of 47.6 percent from the field, 41.7 percent from three-point range and 86.0 percent from the line were top-notch. And considering the Sixers' struggles from the field this season, Collison would represent a worthy addition.
Moreover, Collison has demonstrated an ability to be effective whether starting or coming off the bench throughout his career. The most productive season off his career, numbers wise, came during the 2014-15 when he started all 45 games played, averaging 16.1 points and 5.6 assists per game, with his usual terrific shooting splits across the board.
Furthermore, he has demonstrated considerable effectiveness when backing up leading point guards such as Chris Paul and Rajon Rondo. Renowned primarily for his uptempo play, Collison would provide a great spark for coach Brown off the Sixers bench, while also providing a mentoring role for Simmons through his growing stages in the league.
The one major blemish on Collison's record is the domestic battery charge which caused him to be suspended by the NBA for the first eight games of last season. But to Collison's credit, he was able to put the drama behind him and still have a productive season for the Kings.
At 29 and having somewhat bounced around the league, Collison would arrive at a point in his career where he can still greatly contribute on the court, while at the same time providing him a place he can call home and carve out a role of his own.
Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Patty Mills, San Antonio Spurs
A prototype spark off the bench, Mills' game has evolved throughout his time in San Antonio. While Mills excels in an up-tempo game, his ability to also contribute in the Spurs' primary half-court offense is an added bonus. And while his overall numbers aren't quite as impressive as Collison's, there is one area in which Mills has him covered comfortably – playoff experience.
A member of the 2014 championship winning Spurs, Mills has now played in 73 career playoff games over eight postseason trips. His importance in the Spurs' current battle with the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals has never been higher due to the season-ending injury to starting point guard Tony Parker. In comparison, Collison has appeared 29 playoff games in three separate appearances.
This season, Mills averaged 9.5 points and 3.5 assists in 21.9 minutes per game. Starting in just eight of his 80 games, Mills shot an excellent 41.4 percent from three-point range. In his eight games as a starter, Mills raised his numbers to 12.1 points and 5.9 assists on 28.2 minutes per game.
At 28 and out of a contract, Mills is sure to attract a lot of attention from outside of San Antonio. In the midst of his prime but without an enormous mileage on his body, Mills' free agency comes at a perfect time for the Sixers.
Furthermore, Mills' existing relationship with coach Brown from his days in charge of the Australian Olympic team can only make the recruiting process a little easier.
Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Matthew Dellavedova, Milwaukee Bucks
Unlike Collison and Mills, Dellavedova is not a free agent, still under contract for another three seasons courtesy of the deal he signed last summer. Aside from his contract status, Dellavedova certainly fits the criteria of Brown's "defense, pace and space" motto.
When you mention Dellavedova's name, defense and hustle are the two primary thoughts that come to mind. And it was this dogged play that earned Dellavedova his four-year, $38 million contract.
Prior to joining the Bucks, Dellavedova played a key role throughout the season that eventually led the Cleveland Cavaliers to winning the 2016 title. During his last season with the Cavaliers, Dellavedova's defense stood out. When he was on the court, the Cavaliers allowed 99.7 points per 100 possessions, but this number rose to 104.5 when he was resting.
Granted this season, Dellavedova's defensive numbers took a hit, with a defensive rating of 107.0. Furthermore, his three-point shooting dropped 41.0 percent to a still respectable 36.7 percent. As a catch-and-shoot marksman, having good looks helps enormously for a player such as Dellavedova.
By way of comparison, the Sixers this season ranked third in the league for three-point attempts considered open (within 4-6 feet of the closest opponent). His previous team, the Cavaliers, ranked fourth. The Bucks, meanwhile, were 28th. Overall this season, 85.9 percent of Dellavedova's three-point attempts were assisted by a teammate.
On the Sixers, surrounded by talent such as Joel Embiid, Simmons and potentially another big-name free agent, Dellavedova's shooting numbers and overall defensive impact can easily return to the levels he displayed on a dominant team such as the Cavaliers.
In terms of acquiring Dellavedova, forward/center Jahlil Okafor would be a logical target for the Bucks. With Milwaukee center Greg Monroe out of contract and no certainty to return, Okafor is on the books until the end of 2018-19 and fits the bill with the up-and-coming Bucks roster. Furthermore, the emergence of center Joel Embiid has made Okafor somewhat superfluous on the Sixers' roster.
A deal centering around Okafor in exchange for Dellavedova and a first round draft pick (the Bucks own all their picks through 2024) would certainly get the front offices of the respective teams talking.
Click here to see how this deal would pan out (minus the draft pick).
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Decision time
Before pursuing a potential mentor and backup for Simmons, the Sixers' resident point guards need to be addressed.
T.J. McConnell started in 51 of his 81 games, averaging 6.9 points and 6.6 assists. While he had an elite assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.36, McConnell shot an abysmal 20.0 percent from three-point range. He is currently contracted with the team until the end of the 2018-19 season (a team option in the final season) on a very team-friendly deal.
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The other point guard on the roster was veteran Sergio Rodriguez, who averaged 7.8 points and 5.1 assists. Starting 30 of his 68 games, Rodriguez shot a solid 36.5 percent from behind three. He is now out of contract having played on a one-year, $8 million deal. But soon to be 31 and a relative journeyman, it's unclear if the Sixers will persist with Rodriguez.
Of the three candidates mentioned to provide experience and leadership, Mills appears to tick the most boxes. Now in his sixth season with the Spurs, like coach Brown, the learning he has experienced during his time in San Antonio will be invaluable moving forward.
With Brown, and the Sixers franchise in general, trying to establish an elite culture and a certifiable identity, a player with Mills' character and experience would be vital moving forward. And on the court, Mills' ability play both on and off the ball would prove a terrific addition in the Sixers' up-tempo style.
An expected contract in the three-year, $30 million range would be well worth the investment for Colangelo and the Sixers.
