By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Philadelphia 76ers, after their trade with Boston, will make it two straight seasons picking first overall and the fourth consecutive year picking in the top three. Adding Markelle Fultz is a giant step forward in “The Process”, but that shouldn’t keep the Sixers from making some noise in free agency. Per Jake Fischer of Sports Illustrated, the Sixers were actively pursuing J.J. Redick prior to their trade with the Celtics and the expectation is that their interest will pick up as the offseason progresses.
Before trading for No. 1 pick, were rumblings amongst league execs Sixers would be aggressive JJ Redick suitors in FA. Imagine that spikes.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) June 18, 2017
Redick, 32, has averaged 15 points or more in each of the last five seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers and has posted three-point shooting percentages over 42 percent for three straight years. The Sixers will have a young, talented core of players, but need some veterans in addition to Gerald Henderson and Jerryd Bayless to round out the roster.
Redick would be an upgrade over the veterans the Sixers already have and the team has the cap space to add him, $40 million to be exact. Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical estimates Redick will demand $16-17 million range in free agency, so a three-year, $51 million deal would be a solid contract for a veteran of his stature.
During the 2016-17 season with the Clippers, Redick averaged 15 points per game, shot 44.5 percent from the floor, 42.9 percent from beyond the arc and 89.1 percent from the free throw line. He’s a career 88.8 percent shooter from the charity stripe.
Teams can begin negotiating deals with unrestricted free agents on July 1, but must wait until July 6 for contracts to be signed.
