July 18, 2015
In five NBA Summer League games with the Sixers, Scottie Wilbekin shot 15-34 from behind the arc. Above everything else, that is likely where he earned the contract that was first reported by RealGM’s Shams Charania:
Philadelphia has agreed to a four-year deal with summer guard Scottie Wilbekin, league sources tell RealGM. Wilbekin opts out in Australia.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 18, 2015
It’s not like the Sixers cared too much about a sample size of 34, but I imagine they liked what they saw of Wilbekin’s potential to provide a spacing threat. Team three-point shooting should be a critical element of Jahlil Okafor’s development because low-post threats need space to flourish. Wilbekin does not appear to be a player defenses can consistently leave to double, which is important.
That’s not to say he doesn’t do other things well. Wilbekin plays hard on the defensive end and doesn’t turn the ball over all that much, another couple of reasons why he was probably attractive to the Sixers. The shooting really is key here, though.
This is presumably the second Hinkie Special of the week — Pierre Jackson got the other — and Wilbekin will have to battle for a roster spot in training camp. There will be more competition than previously expected, as the Sixers are now up to 16 roster spots (and really 17 when injured second-round pick Richaun Holmes eventually signs, as is expected).
The front office is using these four-year deals in quantity to try to find the one gem a la Robert Covington. If they have to pay a small amount of guaranteed money to a few players who don’t make it, then so be it (their thinking, not mine). These types of contracts are pretty controversial around the league, but Wilbekin will be making more money this year than he would have if he returned to Australia.
Assuming Holmes can rehab his elbow in time for the start of the season, here is roughly what the opening night roster projects to be as it stands now. There are 17 names and only 15 available spots.
PG: Tony Wroten, Isaiah Canaan, Pierre Jackson, Scottie Wilbekin, TJ McConnell
SG: Nik Stauskas, Hollis Thompson
SF: Robert Covington, Jerami Grant, JaKarr Sampson
PF: Nerlens Noel, Jason Thompson, Richaun Holmes, Carl Landry
C: Jahlil Okafor, Furkan Aldemir, Joel Embiid ☹
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