Dion Waiters and Evan Fournier (Photo : Getty Images)
The Philadelphia 76ers could be in the mix to lure two talented restricted free agents this summer.
The 76ers are once again ready to bolster their lineup following another dismal season that saw the franchise finish at the bottom end of the standings. Although their dismal campaign this season could be good news in terms of their chance for a top pick in the draft lottery, Philly could still consider the free agency to address their roster's needs.
According to Adam Fromal of Bleacher Report, Orlando Magic's Evan Fournier and OKC Thunder's Dion Waiters could change teams this summer, despite coming into the market as restricted free agents. Fromal predicted that both players could end up with the 76ers, who could be needing some backcourt upgrade.
Fournier would be a perfect acquisition for the 76ers, with the team lacking a scoring outputs at the guard position. Fournier, who averaged 15.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game this season, would provide Philadelphia instant offense and could stretch opponent's defense thru his respectable 40 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
On the other hand, Waiters would also bring the 76ers a spark on the offensive end, although the 24-year-old shooting guard has a dip in scoring average this season, posting 9.8 points while playing 27.6 minutes per game. While Waiters has only been in the league for five seasons, his playoff experience could be crucial to the development of the 76ers' other young talents.
Tommy Beer of Basketball Insiders reported that Philadelphia could be looking at "mid-tier talent - players who haven't established themselves yet, but have each shown they are legit a [sic] NBA talent with an intriguing ceiling," which fittingly describes Fournier and Waiters.
Meanwhile, Keith Pompey of Philly.com claimed that Waiters wants to play for Philadelphia, his hometown, where the Thunder SG insisted that he could be the missing shooter the 76ers need.
"He wants to come home [to the Philadelphia 76ers]," an anonymous source told Pompey. "Plus, he knows that he could be the missing shooting guard they need. And he could possibly get a [very lucrative] contract with the Sixers."
However, any possible deal would be easier said than done as both potential targets are restricted free agents, which means the Magic and Thunder have the rights to match any offer thrown at Fournier and Waiters, respectively.
But there is a growing sense the Magic and Thunder would not match any offer sheet if it is deemed too pricey. Orlando is in play to sign top veteran free agents like Dwight Howard and Chandler Parsons in July, making Fournier less of a priority.
Oklahoma would also have their hands busy playing cards of retaining Kevin Durant, and with the team only projected to have a maximum cap space of $22 million this summer, there is a chance the team would not match any lucrative deals given to Waiters.
In the past few years, free agency has not been the 76ers' way of a major roster change. But if there would be any available targets, may it be unrestricted or restricted free agents, Philadelphia have a realistic chance, thanks to their estimated $61.2 million salary cap space.
