The Philadelphia 76ers have made a lot of moves in the past few weeks. Here is a look at how they did on each signing.
The Philadelphia 76ers 2021 NBA free agency grades for every signing is a blog post that provides grades for all the signings of the Philadelphia 76ers in their 2021 NBA free agency.
The Philadelphia 76ers have added two players to their squad in the hopes of extending their playoff run and winning the Larry O’Brien Trophy. We can safely assume that these signings did not create a lot of buzz. However, considering the Sixers’ deficiencies last season, Georges Niang and Andre Drummond seem to be exactly what they need. Let’s take a look at how these two players will fit in with the 76ers and their quest for the NBA championship.
Georges Niang receives a B+ from the 76ers.
The 76ers have agreed to a two-year, $6.7 million contract with forward Georges Niang. The 28-year-old has spent the last several seasons with the Utah Jazz, and the 2020-21 NBA season may be his finest. He was a part of the second unit for all 72 games. He scored 6.9 points per possession and shot 42.5 percent from beyond the arc. For someone who only played 16.0 minutes each game, this is a highly prolific production.
There’s reason to think Niang will have a similar impact in Philadelphia. However, don’t be shocked if he’s paired with Joel Embiid by coach Doc Rivers. Niang’s shooting complements Joel Embiid’s inside game well. The 6-foot-7 forward’s driving ability has also showed promise. As he sets up from deep, he’s seen that defenders tend to charge at him. He’s astute enough to use the fake to clear the path and complete the play. However, Niang isn’t exactly dependable as a finisher, so this will need some work.
His defense is another flaw in his game. He’s 6-foot-7, but he doesn’t have the same mobility as other players his height. He possesses the muscle and weight to defend larger forwards, but he lacks the height. During the playoffs, the Los Angeles Clippers took advantage of this and often targeted him. Niang, to be fair, has showed some progress. However, in order to become a valuable member of the 76ers’ squad, he’ll need to improve this aspect of his game.
Andre Drummond is a basketball player.
Andre Drummond’s rivalry with Joel Embiid was quickly mocked by fans and pundits when he joined the 76ers. For the last several years, the two have been at odds. How will they get along now that they’re teammates? The solution is straightforward. Embiid and Drummond are two mature guys who know what they’re doing. They are well-versed in the situation.
Overall, the 76ers will benefit from Drummond’s addition. Drummond may be considered Dwight Howard’s successor and Embiid’s new backup big. Drummond is a rebounding machine who has led the league in that category for the last four seasons. The 76ers will continue to have a big presence on the boards even if Embiid sits.
Drummond is too excellent to be a bench player, therefore we can’t award this acquisition an A. Although he has shown interest in this option, relegating him to a bench position is not ideal, given that he is still in his prime. Drummond’s numbers have dipped since leaving the Pistons, to be sure. Drummond seems to just need the proper squad to play at his best. Will Rivers be able to pair him with Embiid to create a twin tower duo? Maybe. In our age, however, such is not the case. Alternatively, if Drummond has a solid outside game. Drummond will undoubtedly become an important member of the squad. It will be sad to not see him reach his greatest potential.
Related Tags
- free agent centers 2021
- philly basketball team
- philadelphia 76ers roster
