Is it time to start thinking about life after JJ Redick?
The 76ers will have their work cutout for them this offseason. The majority of their roster is set to hit free agency and team management is tasked with finding a way to run it back while also dishing out some max contracts. There are going to be a number of difficult decisions that need to be made, but chief among them may be the fate of JJ Redick.
Since joining the Sixers two years ago, Redick has been a dream. He’s proven himself to be a great veteran presence in the locker room and a perfect fit alongside Joel Embiid, while also setting career highs in scoring and three’s per game in each of the last two seasons. On the down side though, he’s provided little else outside of shooting.
Redick may be one of the league’s elite shooters, but like all the best shooters, he goes through his occasional dry spell. The only difference is, when Redick’s shot isn’t dropping, he becomes damn near useless. He struggles to create his own shot, so if he can’t hit his open looks, he becomes a blackhole on offense. His presence on the court alone can provide spacing, but outside of that he does little to help facilitate on offense. He also lacks quality size and athleticism to contribute on the defensive end.
Redick has a pretty inconsistent postseason history as well. As the Sixers become playoff mainstays, this is something that deserves attention.
As great as it would be to see JJ back in a Sixers’ uniform next year, resigning Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris takes precedent. Without those two, the Sixers will fall behind the pack in an Eastern conference that’s quickly becoming more aggressive. Finding someone to replace Butler or Harris’ production would be almost impossible, but mitigating the loss of Redick seems manageable. After striking gold in last year’s draft with Landry Shamet, the Sixers might luck out again this year with late round prospects such as Kyle Guy and Fletcher McGee seeming like suitable Redick replacements.
Redick turns 35 next month and is coming off a $12.25M contract. If he’s expecting a similar figure next season, it won’t be from the Sixers, but if he’s willing to take a pay cut, his return is all but assured. However, he set a new personal best in points per game last season and I can’t imagine him and his agent settling for less than they’re worth.
Any way you look at it, Redick’s time with the Sixers is soon coming to an end. Whether it’s this season or the next, there is going to come a time when Redick asks for more than the Sixers can offer. This leaves the question, when do you actually move on? Do you let Redick walk and use the money to build the best all-around team or do you go all-in on the starting five and try to run it back? We’ll just have to wait until June 30th to find out.
