Sixers Post Office: Joel Embiid, MCW, Hollis Thompson and More

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Hello everyone, we’re back with another Sixers mailbag. Excuse the delay, it took a while to get four questions. Come on people. Make sure to follow us on Twitter @SixerSense to get us all of your Sixers question so you can appear in the next mailbag. This weeks topics include the value of Hollis Thompson, Joel Embiid expecatations, more MCW trade stuff and some other topics. Check it out and enjoy!

Hollis Thompson has struggggggggled this season and that’s putting it lightly. He was the darling of the Sixers last season, something like Robert Covington this season, and now he’s losing value by the game.

SeasonAgeTmLgPosGGSMPFGFGAFG%3P3PA3P%2P2PA2P%FTFTAFT%ORBDRBTRBASTSTLBLKTOVPFPTS
2013-1422PHINBASF774122.62.24.8.4600.92.2.4011.42.7.5070.70.9.7120.92.33.20.90.70.20.81.96.0
2014-1523PHINBASG292126.92.77.0.3891.33.9.3301.43.1.4620.91.5.6140.62.53.11.21.00.40.92.37.7
CareerNBA1066223.82.45.4.4351.02.6.3731.42.8.4930.71.1.6750.92.33.21.00.80.20.82.06.4

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table

As evident by the table although Thompson’s points have increased, his shooting percentages are horrid. He looked decent in his first game back from an upper respiratory infection, hitting 3-of-4 shots, but has failed to shoot over 43 percent from the floor since. Right now, there isn’t value in him. His value last season came in his 40 percent mark from downtown. If he starts hitting his three-pointers like last season then he can possibly recover some of that value, but that doesn’t appear likely from what he’s shown this season.

I’m assuming you mean next season, because there’s no fiber in my body that can see Joel Embiid taking the court this season — have you seen these 300-lb weight problem reports? Anyways, I’m expecting Embiid to be 150 percent healthy by the time the 2015-16 season rolls around. It’s hard to peg games and production, but I’ll throw a dart into the ocean. Let’s go with 68 games player, averaging 14.5 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks per game. Not too shabby, eh?

Embiid averaged 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game in his 28 games at Kansas, playing 23.1 minutes per game for reference. His per-40 numbers extrapolate to 19.4, 14.0 rebounds and 6.5 blocks which is mind blowing. I’d temper expectations for his first season back. If he gets close to what I projected, it would be a success.

Have you watched Michael Carter-Williams this season? He’s been putrid, shooting 38 percent from the floor and 24 percent from deep. He’s averaging 15.5 points, 7.2 assists, 5.1 rebounds, but turning the ball over 4.4 times per game and has a well below league average PER of 12.4. His offensive rating is an 88 with a 106 defensive rating. Carter-Williams has had his moments, but overall it’s been a regression. My point here is that Carter-Williams looks nothing like a franchise point guard at this point and is a very moveable piece.

To answer your question, I’d imagine the Sixers would want a lot for MCW, considering he was the Rookie of the Year. Something like a first-round pick — or two — along with a player that has some sort of value. Though, Sam Hinkie could pull the trigger for a combination of picks.

The Sixers stop compiling assets and put players on the court when the players that are a part of the future are on the court. It’s season two of a rebuild that has a lot of work, what do you expect? Let this years lottery pick be selected and combine with Joel Embiid. The injury to Embiid derailed the process quite a bit. I’d expect them to start making serious moves after Joel Embiid’s first season, so the summer of 2016.

A lot of blocks, I’d imagine. Again, who knows if Nerlens Noel will even be here next season, along with McDaniels. I’d like them both to be, but this roster is going to have tons of turnover next season. For the sake of the question, let’s imagine that all three are here. Honestly, I’d imagine it to help the defense out a lot. However, I’m still not sold on Joel and Noel playing on the floor together. Along with McDaniels that’s three out of five players on the floor that can’t contribute much — if anything — on offense. However, you want to see all your young talent out on the floor and working together.