76ers Linked to Free Agency Signing of 18-Year NBA Veteran

After making moves for a star-studded lineup, the Philadelphia 76ers could use some quieter signings. 

The Athletic's Tony Jones linked the 76ers to 18-year NBA veteran and free agent forward Nicolas Batum. That kind of move would not create the same reaction as a major trade or star signing, but it could still make sense for a Sixers roster that needs more players willing to fit around its best talent.

It's worth noting this signing only makes sense if Philadelphia misses out on LeBron James, as it only has one open roster spot.

Batum is not the player he once was.

At 37, he is not going to carry a major workload, defend the best wing every night, or play 30 minutes in a playoff series. Philadelphia would be making a mistake if they viewed him as a full-time answer. His value at this stage has to come in spurts.

But those spurts could still matter.

Batum understands how to play without the ball. That is important for a Sixers team built around Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, and VJ Edgecombe. Those players all need touches in different ways. Embiid needs the ball in the post and at the elbows. Maxey needs room to attack. Brown wants to pressure defenses downhill. Edgecombe is still developing, but his best traits also come when he can play aggressively.

That creates a need for low-maintenance role players.

Batum fits that idea.

He does not need plays called for him. He can space the floor, make the extra pass, keep the ball moving, and avoid clogging possessions. That matters because the Sixers cannot afford to add more players who slow the offense down by needing the ball to feel involved.

The shooting is the biggest selling point.

Batum is still a reliable spot-up threat. Defenses have to account for him when he is in the corners or spacing above the break. He may not take a high volume of shots, but his presence can keep the floor clear for Philadelphia’s stars. 

There is also value in his experience.

Batum has played in big games, accepted different roles, and adjusted as his career has changed. That type of veteran can help a team trying to balance star power with structure. He would not fix Philadelphia’s depth by himself, but he could give Nick Nurse a trusted option in specific lineups.

The key to this move, however, would be price.

If Batum is available on a cheap deal, the Sixers should have interest. He is not a long-term piece, and he is not someone who should block younger players. But as a situational veteran who can shoot, pass, and play within himself, he still serves a purpose.

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Wes Dixon is a contributing writer to 76ersRoundtable. He can be reached at [email protected].