The Sixer Sense
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Which Player Will Philadelphia 76ers Retain? Ersan, Nerlens, Or Sergio?

By Bret Stuter

Mar 11, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (center) battles Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (left) and forward Richaun Holmes (22) for positioning on a free throw during the fourth quarter at Staples Center. The Clippers won 112-110. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (center) battles Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (left) and forward Richaun Holmes (22) for positioning on a free throw during the fourth quarter at Staples Center. The Clippers won 112-110. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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The suddenly vibrant Philadelphia 76ers have just defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 114 -109. But the cost of winning in the NBA comes in many forms. At the end of this season, the 76ers must choose who to retain.

The final score of the game was Philadelphia 76ers 114 Milwaukee Bucks 109. The Philadelphia 76ers were on the road, did not have Jahlil Okafor, Jerryd Bayless, Joel Embiid, nor Ben Simmons. Despite all those challenges, the Philadelphia won again, their 17th win of the season.

In fact, in 2017, the Philadelphia 76ers are 9-3. That’s good enough for playoff discussions if that pace is maintained over 82 games. But this team is a late bloomer of sorts, and fell to 7-24 before going on a 10-3 tear to this point.

The Philadelphia 76ers won by a strong team effort.  Gerald Henderson came off the bench to lead the 76ers in scoring with 20 points. Dario Saric came off the bench as well, and tied for second with 17 points. Starting center Nerlens Noel scored 16 points and had 13 rebounds for the 76ers. Ersan Ilyasova, in keeping with his career season, scored 17 points with 9 rebounds. Sergio Rodriguez came off the bench for 18 minutes to add 4 points and 7 assists.

OOPS!

Now here’s the problem.

The contracts for Ersan Ilyasova, Nerlens Noel, and Sergio Rodriguez expire at the end of this season. Sergio Rodriguez plays point guard.  The point guard position is in high demand in the NBA right now.   Nerlens Noel plays center.  The center positions is in short supply in the NBA right now.  Ersan Ilyasova plays a textbook stretch-4. Yeah, they are in high demand as well.

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