Backup to Simmons
T.J.’s biggest opponent may be Ben Simmons going into training camp. The insanely good blend of physique and basketball skills allow him to be a master passer in the NBA, and he’s shown that off at a high level in summer league already. That’s what McConnell does best, move the ball, so having a player that can do that as well as score is a threat to McConnell.
Of course, the Sixers need to put together a second-unit, however, and McConnell may be the perfect ball-moving substitute for Simmons in that second unit.
Although one could argue Dario Saric is fit to play the three spot, he will likely end up playing as a power forward in the second unit. Here’s a look at the possible five players that would take the floor in place of the starting lineup. This is an early projection, but at this point, it seems accurate.
- T.J. McConnell
- Gerald Henderson
- Robert Covington
- Dario Saric
- Jahlil Okafor
Some adjustments may need to be made to this due to the liabilities this roster has on defense. McConnell is one of the only lock-down defenders on this five-man group, and Covington is okay, but there are huge threats in the frontcourt with Saric and Okafor.
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From an offensive standpoint, however, this group would kill it.
The main point here is that McConnell offers the Sixers the ability to have a ball-moving player even when Simmons is off of the floor, and that makes him valuable even with Simmons on this squad.