It’s no secret that the Philadelphia 76ers need more 3-point shooters on the roster and a former 76ers player that was recently waived might be the answer.
Ever since the Jimmy Butler trade, the Philadelphia 76ers have had an open roster spot. As the season has progressed, its become clear that the Sixers are lacking 3-point shooters. While general manager (GM) Elton Brand has preached patience in filling the spot, there has been a recent development that could make the rookie GM reconsider that position.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Milwaukee Bucks have waived wing Jodie Meeks after the conclusion of his anti-drug suspension. Meeks has claimed he unknowingly took a banned substance. Regardless of the happen stance of his suspension, it’s over now and he could be a solid piece of the Sixers bench.
More from The Sixer Sense
If Brand were to sign Meeks, it would be the wings second stint in Philly. Meeks was traded to the Sixers during his rookie season from the Bucks. However, bringing Meeks in wouldn’t come without any risk. He’s never been an above average defender and with age along with past injuries, he may be a liability on that end at this stage of his playing career.
Age is a definite concern, case-in-point is with his stint with the Washington Wizards last season, where he saw a drop off in production. However, if the Sixers use Meeks like they do Furkan Korkmaz at the present moment, then they could minimize his deficiencies and maximize his strengths. Meeks may not be a plus defender, but should be able to hold his own in a limited role.
Meeks has made a career for himself as a floor spacer. He has averaged 9.3 points and 37.2 percent from downtown. In his first stint with the 76ers, Meeks was able to produce solid averages across the board.
| Season | Age | Tm | G | GS | MP | FG% | 3P% | 2P% | eFG% | FT% | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-10 | 22 | TOT | 60 | 0 | 12.0 | .388 | .318 | .456 | .466 | .795 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 4.7 |
| 2009-10 | 22 | MIL | 41 | 0 | 11.9 | .362 | .280 | .432 | .427 | .857 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 4.1 |
| 2009-10 | 22 | PHI | 19 | 0 | 12.3 | .440 | .380 | .512 | .544 | .722 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 5.9 |
| 2010-11 | 23 | PHI | 74 | 64 | 27.9 | .425 | .397 | .468 | .546 | .894 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 10.5 |
| 2011-12 | 24 | PHI | 66 | 50 | 24.9 | .409 | .365 | .468 | .513 | .906 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 8.4 |
| 2012-13 | 25 | LAL | 78 | 10 | 21.3 | .387 | .357 | .441 | .502 | .896 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 7.9 |
| 2013-14 | 26 | LAL | 77 | 70 | 33.2 | .463 | .401 | .514 | .554 | .857 | 2.5 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 15.7 |
| 2014-15 | 27 | DET | 60 | 0 | 24.4 | .416 | .349 | .460 | .485 | .906 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 11.1 |
| 2015-16 | 28 | DET | 3 | 0 | 14.3 | .350 | .444 | .273 | .450 | 1.000 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 7.3 |
| 2016-17 | 29 | ORL | 36 | 10 | 20.5 | .402 | .409 | .395 | .512 | .878 | 2.1 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 9.1 |
| 2017-18 | 30 | WAS | 77 | 0 | 14.5 | .399 | .343 | .464 | .491 | .863 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 6.3 |
| Career | 531 | 204 | 22.6 | .418 | .372 | .469 | .516 | .879 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 9.3 | ||
| 3 seasons | PHI | 159 | 114 | 24.8 | .419 | .383 | .472 | .532 | .886 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 9.1 |
It’s unlikely he would be quite as productive if he re-joined the club, but if he can shoot at those percentages again in a limited role, then he would be worth the cost. As already alluded to, if Brand were to bring Meeks on, then the wing would most likely take over the role that Korkmaz currently has. Meeks is an experienced veteran and is arguably still a better defender than Kormaz at this stage of their respective careers.
Even if Korkmaz were able to maintain his current position within head coach Brett Brown’s rotation, there’s still value to bring Meeks in. He’d be another strong veteran leader in the locker room and if injury were to occur he could jump in and fill the role.
There’s little to any down side if the Philadelphia 76ers were to bring in the veteran wing player. He’d be a cheap option to fill out the bench and could prove to be a valuable floor spacer for the Sixers core of Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and Butler.