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Sixers: Grading The First Season Of Free Agent Signings

By George Kondoleon

Nov 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jerryd Bayless (0) attempts to shoot the ball as Memphis Grizzlies forward Jarell Martin (1) defends during the third quarter of the game at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jerryd Bayless (0) attempts to shoot the ball as Memphis Grizzlies forward Jarell Martin (1) defends during the third quarter of the game at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Sixers had three key free agent signings, but how have they performed their first season.

Despite the circumstances of Bryan Colangelo’s arrival, many around the Sixers praised his offseason moves. He only made three important signings, but the short term for most of them proved that Colangelo was willing to mitigate his risks. The signings of Sergio Rodriguez, Jerryd Bayless, and Gerald Henderson were meant to fill a need in the short term, but have they accomplished that in each of their first season with the Sixers?

It’s difficult to assess a player, even a veteran, in just one season with the new team, but that’s the life of a journeyman. Sergio Rodriguez’s one-year deal is set to expire this summer, meaning his NBA re-audition is all but over for now. Henderson and Bayless are both around for at least one more season, but even then the Sixers cap space allows them mobility in eating contracts. Grading the signings through one season doesn’t justify or take away from the initial good moves Colangelo made, but it will help in how each signing moves forward.

Jerryd Bayless, Grade: N/A

The injury bug seems to infiltrate the Sixers locker room like an annoyingly stealthy ninja in almost every superhero movie. The Bayless signing was set to be the most impactful, considering his role would be to complement Ben Simmons, who got attacked by the injury bug as well. Even without Simmons, Bayless would have made a huge impact offensively from the outside, giving breathing room for bigs to operate down low.

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However, the Sixers saw him on the court for just three games thanks to a wrist injury. His eighth season saw him putting up 33 points in 71 minutes. Bayless’ first year was lost, but his importance and expected role have yet to change. The three-year deal made him the player with the most guaranteed money on the team, and the hope is he will be able to produce in a large way.

Gerald Henderson: C+

Henderson has been a consistent option at the two-guard for the Sixers this year. He hasn’t flashed anything special to pin him as a surprise finding, but has been solid on both sides of the ball for the most part. While starting for most of the season, Henderson has enjoyed the highest true shooting percentage of his career, along with his highest three-point percentage.

The Sixers secured themselves a solid veteran guard through next season. Henderson has had his lapses, including various late game turnovers, but in all has been decent for Philadelphia. His first season was about what everyone expected, and his second one will likely follow suit.

Sergio Rodriguez, Grade: D+

This one hurts. In the offseason, I did a whole breakdown on Rodriguez’s game in Spain and why he’d fit nicely with the Sixers as their backup playmaker. Unfortunately for him (and me), a mix of bad play and gastroenteritis made him lose his spot to TJ McConnell. Rodriguez’s stats show a solid season, however the late game scenarios seemed to fall into the overconfident shooting stroke of El Chacho.

Quick shots, hurtful turnovers, and the rise of McConnell could put Rodriguez on a flight back to Spain, or at the least elsewhere in the NBA. Rodriguez’s play has been disappointing, but the one-year risk was a good one to take especially considering the injury of Jerryd Bayless.

Overall, some meh performances from the entire free agent class Colangelo has brought in this season. The signings were by no means a flop, and besides the Bayless injury, all of these free agents are performing close to their average selves.

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Colangelo was trying to find gold in a coal mine, and has yet to do so. For Colangelo, the next step will be building depth and continuing to increase the roster talent to a height that will hopefully see the team close to a playoff race in the near future. If he can revert back to his ‘think short-term for the long-term’ ideology, free agency shouldn’t cause too many headaches for the next few seasons.