Tag: guard

2024 NBA free agency: Source: Sixers to sign veteran guard Eric Gordon to minimum deal nba,free,agency,source,sixers,to,sign,veteran,guard,eric,gordon,to,minimum,deal,liberty,ballers,front-page,nba-free-agency,76ers-free-agency-rumors-news

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Ah, so they’re still doing the ex-Houston Rockets thing.

The Sixers, apparently one of the few teams who have realized free agency has started, have added another role player. The team will sign veteran guard Eric Gordon to a minimum contract, a source confirms to Liberty Ballers.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania first reported the signing. PHLY’s Kyle Neubeck first reported that it is a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum.

Gordon spent last year with the Phoenix Suns, where he averaged 11 points in 27.2 minutes per game last year. He’s shot the ball well in the later years of his career. Last season in Phoenix he shot 44.3% from the field and 37.8% from behind the three-point arc.

Gordon of course has history with Daryl Morey. He was with the Houston Rockets for six seasons. It’s also worth noting that Gordon and Paul George, who appears likely to sign with the Sixers, were teammates with the Clippers in 2022-23.

While he likely won’t be counted on for as many minutes as the Suns did, the Sixers are certainly hoping Gordon still has some two-way juice left entering his age-36 season.

Source: Sixers do not extend qualifying offer to guard Terquavion Smith, making him an unrestricted free agent source,sixers,do,not,extend,qualifying,offer,to,guard,terquavion,smith,making,him,an,unrestricted,free,agent,liberty,ballers,front-page,76ers-news

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The Sixers will not extend a qualifying offer to Terquavion Smith, a source tells Liberty Ballers. That means the two-way guard becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Signed as an undrafted free agent out of NC State last year, Smith did show flashes with his high-volume shooting and microwave scoring. In 22 games for the Delaware Blue Coats last season, Smith averaged 23.1 points in 31.1 minutes per game while shooting 37.1% from three on a preposterous 10.5 attempts per game.

With the Sixers decimated by injuries, Smith did get a cup of coffee with the big club. Across 16 NBA games, Smith shot 37.1% from deep on 14.9(!) attempts per 36 minutes.

While we did get a few “Terq Time” moments and flashes, there were obvious concerns about Smith’s frame and how he’d hold up getting NBA minutes. Still, this move feels like it’s more about flexibility than any sort of referendum on Smith.

With the Sixers moving quickly to sign UDFA wings Justin Edwards and David Jones to two-way deals, it feels like that third two-way spot will eventually go to second-round pick, Adem Bona. And with first-rounder Jared McCain in the fold as undersized off guard that’s a high-volume three-point shooter, Smith might be redundant.

It was reported by The Inquirer’s Keith Pompey Saturday that the team will also decline point guard Jeff Dowtin, Jr.’s team option, making him an unrestricted free agent as well. Dowtin was a solid depth ball handler last season. We can’t rule out a possible return, but Daryl Morey is clearly choosing to keep all options open amid the team’s pursuit of Paul George.

NBA free agency kicks off at 6 p.m. Sunday when teams are allowed to contact free agents.

2024 NBA Draft: KJ Simpson looks like a Nick Nurse point guard nba,draft,kj,simpson,looks,like,a,nick,nurse,point,guard,liberty,ballers,front-page,nba-draft,76ers-draft-rumors-news

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Before the 2024 NBA Draft, we’ll take an in-depth look at different prospects here at Liberty Ballers and try to figure out which players would be the best fit for the Sixers at Nos. 16 and 41. Next up in this series is Colorado’s KJ Simpson.

KJ Simpson was already an All-Pac-12 performer, but he took a huge leap during a stellar junior campaign. The Buffs point guard saw a steady increase in efficiency in each of his three seasons, making him a possible first-round pick.

Profile

2023-24 Stats: 37 games, 35.1 minutes, 19.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.1 blocks, 47.5% FG, 43.4% 3P, 87.6% FT

Team: Colorado

Year: Junior

Position: PG

Height (without shoes) & Weight: 6’0.25” | 187 lbs

Born: August 8, 2002 (21 years old)

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

High School: Chaminade College Prep

Strengths

Simpson had an outstanding junior year. He’s a quintessential lead guard, putting his teammates in their proper place and distributing the ball. He’s also a great scorer for a point guard, using a strong handle and plenty of craftiness around the rim. He took a huge leap as a shooter, knocking down 43.4% from three. What gives you confidence that the improvement is real is that he also made 87.6% from the line. That’s an elite number. His efficiency grew across the board without sacrificing playmaking for others.

Despite his size, Simpson is a strong point-of-attack defender because of his strength, athleticism and absolute bulldog mentality. He’s strong off-ball as well, averaging over 1.5 steals the past two seasons. He’s also an excellent rebounder for his size, averaging nearly six a game last season.

Weaknesses

If Simpson were 6-foot-4, you’re probably talking about a lottery pick. The shooting improvement looks real, he has a high basketball IQ and he tested extremely well athletically at the combine. His height will be the only thing that scares teams off.

Positional Fit

Simpson is a pure point guard. There’s a chance he’ll be able to guard up because of his strength and athleticism, but that will probably take time.

Draft Projection

Late first, early second round

Again, the only real knock on Simpson is size. With Tyrese Maxey already locked in as the Sixers’ starting point guard, it’s fair to wonder if Simpson makes sense. Then again, Simpson looks every bit like a Nick Nurse point guard. Might as well call him KJ VanLowry. He would be tough to pass up in a trade back scenario or if he somehow falls all the way to 41.