LAS VEGAS – This season, the 76ers want to win. Jerryd Bayless does, too. The shared interest was one of several factors that made the team and veteran combo guard an ideal free agency match.Wednesday, with managing general partner Josh Harris and President of Basketball Operations Bryan Colangelo on hand, the Sixers and Bayless came to terms on a contract. The Phoenix, Arizona native travelled to Las Vegas to formally ink the deal, and then caught the Sixers’ Samsung NBA Summer League game at Thomas & Mack Center later that night.OFFICIAL! @jerrydbayless is a Sixer. #PHILAfirst >> https://t.co/lD2GfLvpHb ] pic.twitter.com/G1Fh0pcUWT— Philadelphia 76ers (@Sixers) July 13, 2016 “It’s enticing,” Bayless said Wednesday of having the opportunity to join the Sixers. “Truthfully, I’m not looking just to come grow, I’m trying to come win.”An eight-year veteran who has also played for Portland, New Orleans, Toronto, Memphis, Boston, and Milwaukee, Bayless believes that a turnaround, given the Sixers’ off-season activity, might not be too far off. For starters, the Sixers grabbed Ben Simmons with the number one pick in the June 23rd draft, along with Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, a promising, athletic, “three-and-D” wingman who went 24th overall. Last Saturday, the club landed seasoned two-guard Gerald Henderson via free agency. Three days later, Bayless came on board, along with Sergio Rodriguez, a former Euroleague MVP who has appeared in 285 NBA games. On top of all that, the reports on Joel Embiid remain positive.”There’s a chance we can gel at the right time,” said Bayless. “You never know what can happen.””It’s gonna be an exciting time, to get Philadelphia basketball back to where it’s supposed to be.” #PHILAfirsthttps://t.co/mxrMDpnLzu— Philadelphia 76ers (@Sixers) July 14, 2016 In addition to Bayless’ desire to help “get Philadelphia basketball back to where it’s supposed to be,” his dependable, versatile skill set was another quality that seemed to appeal to the Sixers. Since breaking into the NBA with the Trail Blazers in 2008 as the 11th choice in the draft, Bayless has proven himself capable of assuming both point and shooting guard duties. “It just depends on the situation,” said Bayless.At the outset of last season, which he spent with the Bucks, Bayless served as Milwaukee’s primary point man, due in part to former Sixer Michael Carter-Williams being hurt. Then, later in the campaign, when head coach Jason Kidd began using Giannis Antetokounmpo as a point-forward, Bayless’ responsibilities shifted off the ball.”I’m comfortable with both,” Bayless said. In a career-high 28.4 minutes per game, he posted 10.4 points, the second-highest average of his career, and 3.1 assists. Also of note, Bayless knocked down a personal-best 101 three-point field goals a year ago.With the rookie Simmons now in the fold for the Sixers, and the team hoping to take advantage of the dynamic facilitating touch he’s displayed in summer league games, Bayless’ versatility will likely come that much more in handy. “Everybody saw it this week, the way [Simmons] passes the ball, being able to shoot it a little bit I think is one of the things that they liked about me,” said Bayless. “It’s going to free a lot of guys up. It’s going to be a great fit for not only me, but for Gerald as well, and Sergio is coming.”Bayless made no secret that he was drawn to the Sixers having Simmons on their roster.”He has the potential to be great,” Bayless said of the LSU product, who became the third top pick in franchise history. “We have a lot of other guys that have that potential as well, with Joel, and I think Jahlil Okafor as well.”During a 91-game stint with Toronto from 2010 to 2012, Bayless developed a relationship with Colangelo, then the Raptors’ president and general manager. The executive was another reason that signing with the Sixers intrigued Bayless.”I’ve known what Bryan is capable of,” said Bayless. “I grew up in Phoenix when he was still the GM for the Suns, and I saw how he built that team, so it’s exciting. I know what he’s going to do, and he’s going to put his best effort forward to make this organization into a winner.”Bayless has also long admired Brett Brown and his passionate approach to coaching.”It’s going to be a great experience, I think not only for me, but everybody, including the city of Philadelphia,” Bayless said. “I’m really looking forward to being there.”
OFFICIAL! @jerrydbayless is a Sixer. #PHILAfirst >> https://t.co/lD2GfLvpHb ] pic.twitter.com/G1Fh0pcUWT
“It’s gonna be an exciting time, to get Philadelphia basketball back to where it’s supposed to be.” #PHILAfirsthttps://t.co/mxrMDpnLzu
