The Philadelphia 76ers Are Brand New
By Bret Stuter
Room to Grow
The team is set at center (for now), and from my perspective, power forward. The team is stable at point guard for now as well. But the team needs help at the wings. Could that be an area the team will address this season? If Robert Covington retains in his slump, the best chance at a double digit scoring threat will have faded. This team is young and learning, but does not have that long range artillery we had hoped to find.
Covington and Nik Stauskas appeared to be the two Brett Brown had focused upon, believing them to be bona fide two-way threats. But both players have suffered extended slumps this season. It’s that inconsistency that leaves the Sixers struggling in the face of intense competition. A new face, another veteran, could settle down the wing men. We’ve seen talk about the situation in Philly: too many big men for the team going forward. If you are looking to off-load any of these players, you would want a certain high quality return.
Indiana Pacers small forward Paul George is unhappy this season, as he has been relegated to the power forward spot. With the Sixers sitting on trade assets and big men, could this be a window of opportunity to secure George?
"“It’s the concern just over the course of a season just how my body would take it, especially coming off the injury that I had and a whole year of rehabbing. Again, I’m not too thrilled on it, but it could change the more comfortable I get at the position. But we’ll see. But again, I could very much end up loving it, so it’s all up in the air. I’m open to the position.” – Paul George on move to power forward"
ALSO ON SIXER SENSE: How Jahlil Okafor Could Be Next Carmelo Anthony
The Sixers could package one of their bigs, my guess would be Jahlil Okafor, and draft picks to wrest the star player from Indiana. That would give Indiana a top first round player from the 2015 draft, and draft ammunition to build down the road. Paul George would be an instant difference make in a Sixers jersey. There could be other players, but the obvious player to seek out is the frowning fellow in Indiana.
In any case, the team is growing into their destiny, but there is plenty of room to grown faster and further. Sixer Fans just need to be patient for a while longer.