Give and Go: Should the Sixers Take a Run at J.J. Redick?

Before the offseason craziness starts, our resident basketball analysts will discuss some of the hottest topics involving the Sixers.

Running the Give and Go are CSNPhilly.com Sixers Insider Jessica Camerato and producer/reporters Matt Haughton and Paul Hudrick.

In this edition, we analyze if the Sixers should take a run at free-agent guard J.J. Redick.

Camerato
The Sixers should make Redick, an unrestricted free agent, one of their top targets this offseason. They have a glaring void on offense and Redick can fill those needs. 

The Sixers ranked 25th in scoring (102.4 points), 27th in field goal percentage (44.2) and tied with the Bulls for 24th in three-point percentage (34.0). 

The young team needs a boost in the backcourt. The Sixers' top three offensive pieces are in the frontcourt (Joel Embiid, 20.2 points per game; Dario Saric, 12.8 points per game) or on the perimeter (Robert Covington, 12.9 points per game). Nik Stauskas was the highest-scoring guard last season at 9.5 points per game. 

Enter Redick. He has made a lengthy career as a knockdown shooter. He also brings that veteran experience the Sixers are looking for as he enters his 12th season. Not to mention he knows what it takes to get to the playoffs, where he's been in all but one of his seasons. 

Redick 15.0 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 28.2 minutes for the Clippers this season. He shot 42.9 percent from three, 44.5 percent from the field and 89.1 percent from the line. Yes, his three-point shooting percentage did drop from a league-leading 47.5 percent last season, but he still finished fifth in the NBA. 

Redick will turn 33 in June. He played 78 games this season and has missed a total of only 15 games over the past three seasons. His age doesn't concern me given his role. Consider the long careers of other shooters: Jamal Crawford, 37, shot 36.0 percent from three in his 17th season. Manu Ginobili, who turns 40 in July, shot 39.2 percent from three in his 15th NBA season. The Sixers pursued both veteran guards last offseason. 

Haughton
With young talent already on the roster and more set to be added with the No. 3 overall pick, the Sixers could be in the market to add a significant free agent during the offseason.

While the backcourt - particularly shooting - is definitely an area to address, I'm not sure throwing money at Redick is the way to go.

Redick's offensive numbers have held steady throughout his 11-year career. He's a career 41.5 percent shooter from three-point range.

That's certainly an upgrade over anyone currently on the club, but is that really worth the reported $18-20 million per year Redick is seeking in a FA deal?

Not when you factor in his defensive shortcomings and the fact that the last time we saw Redick on the floor he looked every bit like a player about to turn 33 next month. He averaged 9.1 points per game (down from 15.0 in the regular season) during the L.A. Clippers' first-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz as he shot 38.0 percent from the field and 34.6 percent from three-point range.

Perhaps it was just a bad stretch or unfavorable matchup for the typically reliable shooter. It's at least worth thinking about before throwing a hefty contract offer Redick's way.

Hudrick
I've been going back and forth on this ever since Woj came out and said he expects the Sixers to pursue Redick. 

It makes sense that they would. Colangelo reportedly pursued veteran free agents Manu Ginobili and Jamal Crawford last offseason. Redick would seem to be a better fit than both of those players. He's younger (33) and he fits the team's biggest need: Shooting.

The Eagles took a page out of the Sixers' book by drafting a likely redshirt rookie in Sidney Jones. Perhaps the Sixers could now look to emulate the Eagles. The Eagles' offseason seems less about winning - although it may be a byproduct - and more about surrounding second-year quarterback Carson Wentz with weapons. Redick's sharpshooting would certainly play to the strengths of Embiid in the post and Simmons as a facilitator. 

Redick also has a reputation for being a great team player and locker room presence. He's seen plenty of playoff action, playing 88 (48 starts) postseason games. He's struggled in his last couple trips, but the Sixers can worry about that when they reach the playoffs. 

Then again, depending on the length of the deal, do the Sixers want to spend their money now when it might be better used elsewhere down the road? I'll say this: Redick is a better fit than Kyle Lowry and would make the team's two franchise players better. Why not give Redick a shot?