Sixers 2016-17 player evaluation: Jerryd Bayless

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Jerryd Bayless

Position: Point guard

Status for 2017-18: Guaranteed -- $9 million

Bayless in 2016-17
The Sixers signed Bayless with the expectation he would complement Ben Simmons in the backcourt with his combo guard skills. The veteran, however, suffered a left wrist ligament injury during training camp. He did not make his season debut until Nov. 21, and that didn't last long.

Bayless played only three games before he was shut down with season-ending surgery. He averaged 11.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists in those contests.

Signature game
Bayless scored 18 points with six rebounds and six assists in his second game of the season on Nov. 23 in a double-overtime loss to the Grizzlies. He scored nine of those points in OT.

Looking ahead to 2017-18
Bayless expects to resume contact work in a month. Next season, the Sixers could utilize him as a shooter alongside Simmons or as the point guard. Just as important, the Sixers will look for Bayless to become a veteran mentor to Simmons as he learns the ropes as an NBA point guard. Simmons already considers him to be a "big brother" after spending time together this season. 

On Bayless
"He's like a free-agent signing that's already happened and we're just waiting for him to get healthy and it looks like that's well on its way. A maniacal worker. He's in the gym every day. As soon as he had the chance to get back and shooting shots, he was there. First guy in the gym, every single day." 

- Sixers president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo

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