For the 76ers to Claim the Final two Roster Spots, they must choose four Buyout Targets

For the 76ers to claim the final two roster spots, they must choose four buyout targets

 

After signing Kyle Lowry, the Philadelphia 76ers still have two open roster spots for taking. Here are four buyout targets they should consider inking to a deal for the rest of the season.

With a 32-22 win-loss card heading into the All-Star break, the Philadelphia 76ers remain seated at fifth place in the Eastern Conference, and are two full games ahead of the sixth-seeded Pacers for the final guaranteed playoff spot.

Joel Embiid won’t be with the team for the foreseeable future as he recovers from surgery while the 76ers tread a difficult schedule for the rest of the season. Signing Kyle Lowry from the buyout market iwass a nice move to try and stay afloat, but they will undoubtedly need more if they want to stay out of the play-in tournament.

Here are four players still available on the market the 76ers should sign to fill their last two roster spots.

4 Buyout targets the 76ers should sign to fill last two roster spots

4. Danny Green — SG/SF

Danny Green signed a one-year deal for a second go-round with the 76ers last summer, but was eventually let go to make room for the James Harden trade. There were murmurs of the team potentially signing him back, but so far, nothing has materialized, at least not yet.

Late-season signings are most often catered toward depth insurances, and the veteran Green will supply just that. While definitely on the last leg of his career, the three-time champion’s winning experience, defensive IQ, and spot-up shooting are all desirable bits you’d want from a third-stringer. His locker room presence would also be much welcome as the 76ers navigate the end of the season.

3. Danilo Gallinari — PF

Gallinari was waived by the Pistons almost a week ago, and while latest reports point to the veteran being wood by the Suns, nothing is set in stone yet. The 14-year veteran is expected to have numerous suitors in the market, so it’s understandable that his camp is taking its time.

Under the premise that the 76ers sign another big man for their other roster spot, going after Gallinari wouldn’t be the worst idea. While arguably one of the worst defenders in the market, he’s a lethal floor-spacer who’s a career 38.2 percent three-point shooter, and gives the coaching staff a look at 5-out lineups against units with non-imposing big men.

Robert Covington and KJ Martin are both iffy from rainbow country, and Gallinari would provide insurance on the perimeter. Fortunately, Philly has defenders they can surround him with to abate his deficiencies, making him a viable option on the buyout market.

2. Keita Bates-Diop — PF/SF

Arguably the safest option on this list, Keita Bates-Diop has the potential to be one of the best late-season acquisitions in the NBA. He’s still on an NBA roster with the Nets, but he’s not expected to have a meaningful role there either, giving rise to the possibility that he comes to a buy-out agreement with the team.

Bates-Diop puzzlingly played little in Phoenix, but he showed valuable versatility, especially on defense, last season in San Antonio. While he doesn;t tout eye-popping athleticism or voluminous scoring, he is pretty rangy and covers a lot of ground defensively. Better yet, he can switch from 1 through 5, arming the 76ers with someone who can play multiple positions on both ends.

Offensively, KBD isn’t exactly hopeless. He’s an adept three-point shooter (39.4 percent last season as a consistent rotation player), nifty as a cutter (a Popovich trademark), and a very willing passing linker.

1. Chimezie Metu — PF/C

The 76ers are in dire need of reinforcement in the big man position. Naturally, Chimezie Metu tops this list. Release just recently by the banged-up Memphis Grizzlies, the 26-year-old will inevitably end up on an NBA roster this season.

Metu has seen only limited action in the last couple of years, but he’s remained productive in short spurts. An energizer bunny off the bench, the former Sacramento King is a capable finisher around the rim who can hit the occasional three, albeit at a below-average rate.

Nevertheless, Philadelphia needs a springy big man on the interim, given the fact that the available big men in the market primarily consist of veterans at the twilight of their careers. For the short-term, Metu makes a lot of sense, especially since the 76ers have no shortage of scoring options anyway.

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