Sixers prove and gain plenty with additions of JJ Redick, Amir Johnson – Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia

Sixers prove and gain plenty with additions of JJ Redick, Amir Johnson

Whether the process is over or still ongoing, the Sixers are entering a new chapter in the direction of the team. It is one in whichveteran leadership for the young core is highly revered, so much so that the Sixers are willing to pay up for it.

The Sixers on Saturday agreed to a one-year contract with shooting guard JJ Redick worth $23 million, according to a league source (see story). That's $280,487.81 per regular-season game.

The Sixers also agreed to a one-year, $11 million deal with forward Amir Johnson, according to a source (see story).As of Saturday, Johnson will be the second-highest paid player on the Sixers next season behind Redick.

These paychecks, Redick's in particular, are representative of the Sixers'commitment to improving the team now. They aren't building a roster looking to knock off the Cavaliers, but rather one that can take a critical step in the development of the organization. The Sixers need to surround players like Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, Markelle Fultz and Dario Saric with veterans to make that happen.

Johnson will be entering his 13th season; Redick his 12th. Both made their NBA debuts in 2006, the same year Fultz turned 8years old.

The two, along with Jerryd Bayless, can instill lessons of professionalism and accountability to achieve lengthy NBA careers. Both Johnson and Redick are seasoned in the playoffs and know how to take care of their bodies. Johnson played 80 games last regular season while Redickmissed only four.

Yes, Redick will add instant offense with his dangerous long-range shot and Johnson will provide versatility in the frontcourt, but the bigger value could be the influence they have on the younger players. Embiid and Simmons already welcomed Redick's addition with approvals on social media (see story).

The short-term commitments to Johnson and Redick keep in line with the Sixers'desire to maintain salary cap flexibility for the future, including free agency and a potential contract extension forEmbiid. If all goes well, the Sixers could revisit their contract situations for the following season and perhaps negotiate for more years at a discount. Or, the players could part ways and find new teams. Either outcome, the Sixers won't have their hands tied contractually when they enter the market in the summer of 2018.

The Sixers have inked two long-term veterans to short-term deals. If the young players soak up everything Johnson and Redick have to offer, just one season could be enough to make a long-lasting impact.

LAS VEGAS -- JJ Redick was one of the most sought-after free agents on the market. Teams were pushing for his veteran leadership and three-point shooting. All the while his decision was quite easy.

Truthfully, for probably the eight weeks between the season and free agency, as we got closer and closer to free agency, I wanted to be in Philadelphia, Redick said at his introductory press conference Saturday after officially signing with the Sixers(see story). That was the place I wanted to be.

Redick agreed to a one-year, $23 million contract with the Sixers on July 1, the first afternoon of free agency. What seemed like it could have been a drawn out period of heavy consideration was shortened to less than 24 hours.

You brought 40 people to the meeting, Redick said, turning to president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo seated next to him. It was just a great experience.

The Sixers were quick to agree to a deal with Redick because he checked off a long list of offseason needs, the first being offense.

What this team needed more than anything was a shooter, Colangelo said. We arguably have the best shooter in the league.

In addition to being instant scoring and reliable three-point threat, the shooting guard is a proven veteran leader who has made the playoffs part of his annual schedule.

"Yeah, I would just say that Josh and Dave and Bryan aren't paying me $23 million to be a leader, Redick said. They're paying me that because I can play and same thing with Amir (Johnson).

Redick viewed the Sixers system and roster as the best fit for him. He said the acquisition of the No. 1 pick to land Markelle Fultz solidified his interest in signing with them. Long before the trade, though, Redick had been enticed by the possibility of playing under Brett Brown.

To be honest, he was probably the biggest factor in this decision, Redick said of Brown. Hes someone that Ive watched and I wanted to play for. Im thrilled to be playing for him next year.

Redicks quick decision to join the Sixers came after years of traveling to the city as a member of the opposing team. A social media post from his past turned out to be telling of his relocation in 2017.

"Somebody on Twitter the other day dug up an old tweet from 2011 when I said that I was roaming the streets of Philadelphia and it was one of my favorite cities and it's a very underrated city," Redick said. "Six years later, I still feel the same way."

LAS VEGAS -- The Sixers are prepared to move forward in summer league if Markelle Fultz cannot play. After all, they arent strangers to injured rookies.

Fultz suffered a left ankle sprain in the third quarter of Saturdays 95-93 win over the Warriors (see Instant Replay). He stepped on the back of Jabari Browns foot as he attempted to chase down a block and had to be helped off the court by his teammates without putting pressure on his foot.

The Sixers have not announced a long-term plan for Fultz's availability during the remainder of summer league, but it seems unlikely he will be able to play in Sundays back-to-back game against the Spurs.

Seeing Fultz grabbing his ankle on the court was a visual reminder of the long list of injuries endured by Sixers before even playing an NBA game. Even the slightest wince or hobble is jarring for many to see at this point.

Nerlens Noel sat out his rookie season because of an ACL injury. Joel Embiid missed two years because of foot surgeries. Just last October, Ben Simmons was hit by a season-ending Jones fracture in his right foot.

Any sport you play in in a competitive atmosphere and youre athletic and moving around, thats just the challenge, assistant coach Lloyd Pierce said. Its easy to put that on the history of what weve gone through, but no, its just part of the game. Its part of the sport.

Fultz began receiving treatment Saturday night (he was not available to speak to media because of this). Pierce said this will be a lesson for Fultz to learn about taking care of his body to recover from an injury.

The Sixers plan to go with Larry Drew II more often without Fultz and Timothe Luwawu Cabarrot.Luwawu-Cabarrot also left Saturday's game with an upper lip laceration that required stitches. Drew II hit the go-ahead basket in their victory. Aaron Harrison also drew praise from Pierce for scoring 13 points in as many minutes off the bench.

Next guy up, Pierce said. Weve got a lot of bodies and a lot of guys that did not play tonight will get their opportunity at some point during the week.

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Sixers prove and gain plenty with additions of JJ Redick, Amir Johnson - Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia