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Sixers Mailbag: The Embiid/Noel Conundrum and More

By Drew Corrigan

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It’s been a while since I’ve done a Sixers mailbag and that’s probably my own fault. But, here we are again. We have some questions on Furkan Aldemir, the ever confusing fit of Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel, and a few questions about prying some current Spurs’ from the hands of Gregg Popovich. So, without further adieu, lets do this.

Trevor is referring to Furkan Aldemir, rebound machine, and that’s about all he does. But, rebounding is a trait that will make Cavs big Tristan Thompson boatloads of money this summer, so it is valuable. Aldemir averaged 4.3 rebounds per game this year, grabbing nearly two offensive boards per game. He played sparingly (13.2 minutes per game) but was effective in short bursts.

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Next season, I expect more of the same as this year. A lot of rebounding and giving relief to Joel Embiid, Nerlens Noel and/or Karl-Anthony Towns. He still has a lot to learn about the NBA, but hopefully a full offseason in an NBA program will help. The form on his jumper isn’t bad and he would become a lot more valuable if he can knock down the occasional 16-footer. I’d like to see him used more often as a second or third big off the bench, playing around 20 minutes per game.

This is the biggest question in Philadelphia right now. The NBA is a pace-and-space league right now and it requires versatile big men that can do multiple things on the court. Spacing is everything and it’s hard to succeed without a big that can force defenders to guard them on the perimeter. But, the Sixers need to at least try an Embiid/Noel front court before trying to trade one. It will have it’s ups and downs, but there’s no reason to trade one at this point.

Noel is quick enough to be able to guard on the perimeter, but you obviously want him at the rim. Embiid is more of a low-post scorer and more polished on that end than Noel, but can Noel’s jumper become consistent enough for those two to not clog the lane? Noel’s 61 percent shooting from the line is a good mark, but he needs to become a consistent shot maker from 16-feet.

Defensively it’s not an issue, the huge question is how it works on offense. But, there’s a whole offseason for the Sixers to work out the kinks and there’s no rush for this team to reach the playoffs. Time is of the essence in Philadelphia.

I believe it has the ability to work, or that the Sixers will find some way to make it work. But, I’m the same guy that’s all for drafting Karl-Anthony Towns with Embiid and Noel so go figure.

My immediate response would be no. I know he’s a lights out three-point shooter (shot better than 40 percent in last three seasons), but I’m not comfortable with paying him $15-plus million per year. He’s a great shooter and solid defender, something the Sixers need. The cap is going up, yes, but I’m still not in. I really like Danny Green and would be comfortable at about $8-12 million per, but I don’t think the Sixers would be the team to offer Danny Green a max deal.

All of the YES here. Mills has so many connections with Brett Brown from Australia and playing with the Spurs. It almost makes too much sense. Mills is a great floor spacer as a knockdown three-point shooter and has so much confidence in his game. His 39 percent mark for his career would be welcomed on this Sixers team. He could easily fill a roll as a back up point guard and the Sixers wouldn’t have to give the Spurs a lot to take him off their hands. I’m in.

Wouldn’t read into it too much. I haven’t heard anything myself. I’m sure there is some tension when Hinkie goes and trades away players that Brett Browns values and he is left with a dumpster heap of players. But, at the end of the day, Brown has the long-term vision of the team in mind. Getting a top-three draft pick and Joel Embiid this summer should calm any dissension in the front office.

The solution is the draft. I don’t see many other places where you can get a point guard of the future. Goran Dragic has been discussed by some Sixers people, but he’s over 30 and probably on the decline. I’m not sure I’d want to enter the large bidding war for Brandon Knight and to be honest, the Suns gave up a good amount for Knight, so they’re likely going to match any contract offered. Pat Beverly is entering restricted free agency and would be interesting for the Sixers. But, most of the guys the Sixers could target are backup points. Ultimately, this team finds their point guard in the draft, unless there is some mega trade that goes down for a star guard.

That’s all for this time. Thanks to everyone that submitted questions. Remember to find us on Twitter @SixerSense to submit questions for the mailbag.

Next: Joel Embiid's Agent Confirms He'll Play in Summer League