Sixers reportedly seeking free agent center Kyle O’Quinn

The Sixers need to replenish their frontcourt depth after the departure of Ersan Ilyasova and the uncertainty of Amir Johnson returning. At the opening hours of the 2018 free agency period, rumblings started emerging from HoopsHype’s Alex Kennedy that Philadelphia’s pursuit of a backup center had led them to former New York Knick, Kyle O’Quinn.

O’Quinn is a 6’10”, 250-pound bruiser center with a fantastic beard and numbers that pop off the stat sheet. O’Quinn recorded his most impressive season last year, as the 28-year-old big man averaged 7.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists in just 18.0 MPG in New York’s second unit.

O’Quinn also shot a healthy 58.2 percent from the floor and 77.2 percent from the charity stripe, a respectable clip for a 5. He’s tallied a 20.0 PER or higher over the last two seasons and owns a high-level motor that helps him thrive in his role as an energy big.

The Sixers might be tempted to focus on one-term deals to maximize their 2019 salary cap room, and O’Quinn could be a stopgap who leverages a productive season in Philadelphia into a more lucrative contract next season. Also, they could be enamored enough to sign him on a longer-term deal as a high-quality backup.

With the Sixers immersed in discussions surrounding both marquee names in Kawhi Leonard and LeBron James, adding an established contributor in O’Quinn would be an exceptional first free agent under interim GM Brett Brown.