After the 2016 NBA Draft, Are we certain of who has made enough of a case to remain with the Philadelphia 76ers into next season?
With the first pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers select… Ben Simmons. With the 24th pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers select Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, and with the 26th pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers select Furkan Korkmaz.
Three new faces. Three more NBA rookies to add to the roster already swelling with the returned-to-health Joel Embiid and the long-anticipated arrival of international player Dario Saric.
More from Sixers News
- 3 Sixers players who could help Team USA Basketball
- 76ers 2k24 ratings: 3 most underrated players on Philadelphia roster
- 76ers head coach Nick Nurse bares lofty plans for Paul Reed this season
- Grade the Trade: 76ers swap Tobias Harris for superstar PG in mock deal
- Breaking Down Bombshell Report on Sixers Star James Harden
Will Saric play for the 76ers this year? Will the Philadelphia 76ers stash Luwawu and Korkmaz, or will the team make room on the roster for both this season?
And so it goes. We are about to begin a grand game of “Booby Trap”, the NBA version where the front office tries to pull players off the roster without disrupting the core of the team. But at this point, who might that core be?
I don’t think we can predict with any certainty as the team concludes the next phase of the off-season: free agency and the trade period. Nor do I think that anyone in the Philadelphia 76ers organization can point to the roster at this moment and determine who will make the jump to the 2016-2017 roster. The reason? The gears are still moving. It’s like trying to tell the hour of the day by looking at the calendar – there is simply too much detail behind the scenes to give an accurate reading.
But I never scare off that easily. I will wade into the minefield because the Philadelphia 76ers fanbase deserves to see what we are currently working with.
Next: Embiid
Joel Embiid
Status: Healthy – at least healthy enough to be cleared for five on five scrimmages.
Contracted Through: 2017 with a team option to extend through 2018
Current 2016-2017 Salary: $4,826, 160
Trade Value: None
Strengths: He’s Huge. Currently stands at 7-foot-2 and weighs at 275 pounds. Physically intimidating. Extremely agile, strong basketball IQ, and can emulate basketball moves by studying videos.
Offense: He’s been working on all phases of offense and shot selection.
Defense: He offers enthusiastic defense for a big man, and his height plus wing span create a virtual impenetrable wall near the rim.
Weaknesses: He’s a rookie coming off nearly a three year lay-off, two successive years of foot surgery, likely limited playing minutes to open the season, and a shallow pool of basketball experience to draw upon
Offense: Who’s to say? If you go by his practices, he’s formidable, displaying shots from all over the basketball court. Place him in a true NBA game situation, and you can expect more modest results. But he’s got post, mid-range, and perimeter scoring down pat. If he can build up to 20 minutes per game, you can expect his average scoring to be mid-teens or better.
Defense: It’s another tough call. He played hard and aggressive defense in his freshman year in Kansas, and with those instincts there is cause to hope for great NBA defensive play as well. He has all the tools, he will simply need to learn from NBA experience
Probability of 2016-2017 Roster: Certainty – will likely alternate as center starter. 100 percent.
Next: Okafor
Jahlil Okafor
Status: Recovering from Meniscus tear. Hope to be ready by season opener. Possible starter. 2016 Team USA Select member.
Contracted Through: 2017, with team options to extend through 2019
Current 2016-2017 Salary: $4,582,680
Trade Value: Early first round pick or productive veteran with good upside.
Strengths: He’s a solid offensive machine in the post. Despite just 53 games played, he has shot making abilities, can defeat double-teams, good shot accuracy. Flirted with 20 points per game in rookie season.
Offense: He is the best offensive player on the Philadelphia 76ers, and the roof has just been blown off with the new player skills on the team. In his rookie season, he shot better than 50 percent from the floor. He may flirt with 30 points per game this season as the year will be familiar, the double teams will lessen, and the burden to “score score score” will not rest exclusively on his shoulders.
Defense: Despite a chain of events that hindered his defense, he showed signs of improving to a solid game in defense. He pulled down 7.0 rebounds per game, and did manage to block 1.15 shots per game as well, and he was just beginning to find his groove at power forward before a knee injury shut him down for the rest of the season.
Weaknesses: His greatest weakness appears to be time. He is just 53 games into the NBA and has already launched himself into an excellent trajectory towards a great NBA career. In comparison, his defense is not on par with his offense, but he can improve with focus and experience. He needs to improve his passing out of a double team and work on his rebounds and blocks.
Offense: Everything a center can do at the post, Jahlil Okafor can do offensively. He’s surprisingly quick and powerful, can sink shots in double and triple teams, and despite being one of the few offensive weapons of the team, he maintained a better-than-50-percent shooting accuracy.
Defense: This area of his game is the weakest, but also the more easily improved. With a roster that should have a greater number of scoring options, the pressure will come off Okafor to think scoring exclusively. He can turn his attention to working on reads, anticipation, and timing of his jumps to optimize blocks and rebounds.
Probability of 2016-2017 Roster: 85 Percent. No way the team surrenders his offensive potential for anything short of a “wow” offer, and the NBA teams show little sign of putting up that kind of trade offer. By the time the 2017 NBA trade deadline rolls around, that may be a different for NBA teams, but the 76ers may just turn off the “for sale” sign and decide to keep the young center for the foreseeable future.
Next: Noel
Nerlens Noel
Status: Currently active, possible starter, strong bench
Contracted Through: 2017
Current 2016-2017 Salary: $4,384,490
Trade Value: An NBA top ten draft pick, or a productive NBA veteran with upside.
Strengths: Nerlens Noel is a modern era NBA center. He is versatile and athletic, and has been an NBA defensive standout his first two seasons of NBA play. Subsequently, his offense has been more pedestrian, gradually improving each of his first two seasons.
Offense: He modestly improved in nearly all offensive categories in his second NBA season, improving to 11.1 points per game and his accuracy to 52.1 percent from the floor. He cannot create his own shot, and depends heavily upon a catch and shoot, including the alley-oop, for the bulk of this scoring.
Defense: Conversely, he is a defensive gem. He was in the top twenty in the NBA in both blocked shots and steals-a feat he shares with Atlanta Hawks power forward Paul Milsap. Using Milsap as a career model, Noel’s second NBA season is on par defensively with Milsap’s fifth season in the NBA.
Weaknesses: He needs to work on his scoring, but virtually each center in the NBA has started out with less offensive output that many other positions. Noel is truly dependant on his teammates to score, and this year’s roster appears to be an upgrade for him. Noel could score in the upper teens this season if he warrants enough minutes per game and a consistent starting or coming in off the bench role with the team.
Offense: He has a limited offensive set, a drawback to being recognized for his true overall contribution to the team. But he is showing steady improvement. With the new roster setting up around him: Ben Simmons, Dario Saric, and even Sergio Rodriguez, Noel will be given far more frequent chances to score.
Defense: He can dominate defensively now, on par with NBA veterans with many more years of experience. As he gains more experience, Noel will likely become even more proficient in his role.
Probability of 2016-2017 Roster: Approximately 80 percent. If no team meets the asking price, the Philadelphia 76ers are prepared to carry three centers into this season.
Next: Landry
Carl Landry
Status: Productive reserve
Contracted Through: 2017
Current 2016-2017 Salary: $6,500,000
Trade Value: Minimal. Perhaps a 2nd round pick or late first to team desperate to fill PF role for playoff run.
Strengths: Consistency. Despite only appearing in 38 games, Landry was routinely productive, averaging 9.8 points per game on just 15.8 minutes per game.
Offense: Landry was a pure power forward, and his play showed the value of a veteran. Despite a wrist surgery that sidelined him until Christmas 2015, he routinely contributed to the team with consistent scoring as well improving spacing on the team. He shot 55.6 percent accuracy from the floor, and 46.2 percent from long range.
Defense: Landry is a savvy veteran who knows where to be at the right time. Despite a season plagued with injury (first his wrist surgery recovery, then late season back spasms), He generated 4.1 rebounds per game, no small feat on just 15.8 minutes per game.
Weaknesses: Durability. He struggled to stay healthy, making only 38 appearances for the 76ers in the 2015-2016 season.
Offense: Landry has never developed a three point shot. In fact, in his NBA career, he has only attempted 30 treys. His accuracy from that range has been just 30 percent. Both numbers will need to improve significantly.
Defense: Defense was never a strength, but there are some areas he can overcome with anticipation. Unfortunately, he is now 32, and hasn’t the speed to stay close with some of the faster fowards. He doesn’t get his hands involved, which fails to knock out a ball for a steal, or to clog passing lanes.
Probability of 2016-2017 Roster: Approximately 80 percent. With the arrival of Dario Saric, and with return of Richaun Holmes, the team will likely park Noel and Okafor as centers, and move Jerami Grant to small forward. In essence, Saric replaces Brand.
Next: Brand
Elton Brand
Status: Free Agent
Contracted Through: N/A
Current 2016-2017 Salary: N/A
Trade Value: N/A
Strengths: Venerable Veteran. Signed with team to help mentor young centers and power forwards. Contributed as players became injured.
Offense: Solid savvy veteran. He’ll score.
Defense: He can still surprise, but he’s slowed over the years.
Weaknesses: He came to the team to bolster his teammates, not carry significant minutes on the court.
Offense: He still has the capability, but his production has waned over time.
Defense: He compensates for his maturity by aniticpation and basketball knowledge. That can only make up for so much, however
Probability of 2016-2017 Roster: zero, although there is a hope he will come on as an assistant coach.
Next: Holmes
Richaun Holmes
Status: Second season, productive reserve role, versatile
Contracted Through: 2019
Current 2016-2017 Salary: $1,050,000
Trade Value: High second round pick
Strengths: Holmes is a very mature second year player, already older than a third of the team. That maturity has translated into a strong performance at the rim, and a strong defense.
Offense: When he shoots baskets, he’s quite accurate. In fact, 26 NBA rookies who played at least 700 total minutes last season, Holmes’ 51.4 field goal percentage ranked fourth. Looking exclusively at two-point field goal percentage, Holmes topped all first-year performers by a wide margin, hitting 59.6 of his tries inside the arc.
Defense: Under the “good offense makes good defense” category,Holmes led the Sixers with a rate of 3.2 offensive boards per 36 minutes. Per 36 minutes, he averaged 6.9 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 1.0 steals. With Nerlens Noel under center, and Jerami Grant at the three, he comprises one of the youngest and staunchest defensive front court lineups in the NBA.
Weaknesses: Despite a better than average maturity, Holmes is one of the least experienced players on the team. While he appeared in 51 games, he started just one game last year. When he entered the game, he didn’t play for long, averaging just 13.8 minutes per game.
Offense: Offensively, the 76ers have no power forward threatening from the three point line. Holmes sank eight of 44 attempts from the perimeter, but vows to improve both frequency and accuracy of that shot this year.
Defense: While a very solid player on defense,
Probability of 2016-2017 Roster: 79 percent. Assuming the 76ers flex Ben Simmons into a small forward slot, Holmes should make the team. He had some summer league competition from Christian Wood, but won that battle when Wood signed on with the Charlotte Hornets.
Next: Wood
Christian Wood
Status: Free Agent but with strong summer league showing
Contracted Through: Signed with Charlotte Hornets
Current 2016-2017 Salary:
Trade Value: Had he been signed, he would have warranted a solid 2nd round pick.
Strengths: He is an up and coming talent. His desire was evident in the summer league.
Offense: He’s developing a shooting arsenal that compliments a post-oriented center.
Defense: He’s improved in both blocks and rebounds, particularly on offense.
Weaknesses: He is still young and raw. He will be given opportunities in Charlotte, and will very likely make the best of them.
Offense: Still young and inconsistent.
Defense: Still raw. Needs to improve rebounding on defensive side of boards.
Probability of 2016-2017 Roster: None. He will be someone to watch with the Charlotte Hornets.
Next: Covington
Robert Covington
Status: Active, Very Versatile. Can Theoretically start at three positions on team.
Contracted Through: 2018
Current 2016-2017 Salary: $1,015,696
Trade Value: Surprisingly, a late first or a productive veteran.
Strengths: Verstatile. Covington was the glue of the team throughout the season. He was Mr. Plug and Play in many positions, and throughout the course of the season fought through slumps to evolve as the best two way threat on the team so far.
Offense: He was the third leading scorer on the team, despite fighting through a mid season slump. Of the shooters (small forward shooting guard) types, only Hollis Thompson had a more accurate three point shot. He gradually improved throughout the course of the year, eventually ending in April 2016 with an average for the month of 18.1 points per game, while shooting 37.5 percent from long range. While his accuracy dipped, he still managed to finish 16th in the NBA with 170 three-point field goals.
Defense: While much is made of his offensive inconsistencies, he has a solid presence on defense as well. He was third on the team with 6.3 rebounds per game, second on steals with an average of 1.57 steals per game, and even generated .6 blocks per game. Covington permitted opposing players to convert roughly 37.5 percent of their field goal attempts. More specifically, Covington’s defense fared well in jump shot, isolation, and drive situations.
Weaknesses: Perhaps the one weakness worth discussing is the plaugue of any generalist “Jack of all Trades, master of none”. In his NBA career so far, he’s shown signs of potential at virtually all aspects of the game. But in that same token, he’s shown no elitism in any. His 2015-2016 season was plagued with inconsistency, where he had to fight his way through a mid season slump where his scoring output fell to under 6.0 points per game.
Offense: His perimeter accuracy declined, as teams began to focus on him as his offense improved. While his points per game improved, it was driven more from volume than better shot selection. His focus should be on improving all shooting accuracy this off-season.
Defense: Defensively, Covington continued to show progress. Since he is also an offensive leader of the team, he found his way to the court often. He does not shut down opposing players, but his steadfast harassment of active hands had him second on the team in steals per game. If he works harder, he can lead the team this year.
Probability of 2016-2017 Roster: He’s too good at too many positions, and his steady improvement and inexpensive price makes him a virtual lock at 90 percent.
Next: Grant
Jerami Grant
Status: Active. 2016 Team USA Select. Versatile. Strong bench player.
Contracted Through: 2018
Current 2016-2017 Salary: $980,431
Trade Value: Coming off his Team USA Select, anything less than a late first round pick would be a discount.
Strengths: He’s young and rapidly improving. He picked-up over five minutes per game, and converted that into improvement in all statistics with an exception to three-point accuracy.
Offense: He’s efficient. Quietly improving to nearly ten points per game in his second season, he continues to improve. His accuracy from the floor came in at 41.9 percent, good for eighth best on the team.
Defense: He’s defense plus. He led the team in blocks per game with 1.6, pulled in 4.7 rebounds per game, stole the ball at a .7 steals per game clip, and even found an open shooter for 1.8 assists per game. Grant rejected 127 field goal attempts this year. That total placed him 11th among all NBA players, while his 1.6 blocks per game average placed 11th in the league as well.
Weaknesses: He’s young and defense oriented. His perimeter shooting is non-existant, and he tends to ebb and flow as far as game presence. More consistent play from Grant and scoring in the mid to upper teens would be a huge impact to the 76ers this year.
Offense: He cannot shoot from beyond the arc to save his life, falling to 24 percent accuracy in his second season. While his defense will ensure he will find his way onto the basketball court, improving his trey would give him a much greater chance of improving his minutes total this year.
Defense: He tends to disappear on the boards in some games. Hitting his season high of 11 rebounds several times, he would also have games where his numbers fell to just one or two rebounds on 20 plus minutes of play.
Probability of 2016-2017 Roster: He’s a Team USA Select member. It’s silly to see him as anything but a Philadelphia 76ers this year. 95 percent.
Next: Stauskas
Nik Stauskas
Status: Active and improving, fighting for a roster spot
Contracted Through: 2018
Current 2016-2017 Salary: $2,993,040
Trade Value: While selected eighth by the Sacramento Kings in the 2014 NBA draft, he would be valued at a high second round pick at this point
Strengths: Nik Stauskas is flamboyant and loves the camera. He also managed to win the heart of head coach Brett Brown, who singled both him and Robert Covington as players who could develop into two way players. While that may yet happen, the team has brought in a number of players at the shooting guard position who have better alignment with what Brown is trying to implement.
Offense: Stauskas improved across the board in his offense, nearly doubling his points per game to 8.5, rebounds to 2.5, and his two point accuracy to 47.3 percent. When he arrived from the Kings, everyone knew Stauskas would be a reclamation project. He was that and more, finally getting his offense to gel at better than ten points per game in the last two months of the season.
Defense: Stauskas was promoted as a potential two way player for the team, but his defense, much like his offense, was sporadic. His trend improved dramatically through the season, but he played far too many minutes for his production.
Weaknesses: Not the quickest, not the most accurate. He needs to bulk up this off-season, improve his shooting accuracy, and work long and hard. No easy fixes here. Unfortunately, his off-season included time in front of the camera in spot basketball analysis for TSN. To Philadelphia fans, that gives an impression of a player seeking face time, rather than gym time.
Offense: He needs to find his shooting stroke. With no Isaiah Canaan, and with plenty of other shooting guards (see Luwawu, Henderson, Bayless, Thompson later) coming onboard, Stauskas is in serious risk of falling short of the threshhold to another season with the team. His accuracy was 38.5 percent from the floor, including 32.6 percent from the three point mark. He had 32.2 percent from that distance the previous year, indicating virtually no improvement.
Defense: He simply disappeared in some games. Opponent shooting guards had a span of career nights against the 76ers, and head coach Brett Brown could only shut his eyes and hope that the team found a way to defend at the perimeter. He could improve, but the team needs that to happen in practice, and not as on-the-job-training in real games.
Probability of 2016-2017 Roster: I like the young man, but the team shoved too many new faces at the position to give me confidence he stays. 40 percent chance he makes the roster.
Next: Thompson
Hollis Thompson
Status: Active player, Starter or Reserve.
Contracted Through: 2017
Current 2016-2017 Salary: $1,015,696
Trade Value: High second round or low first round pick
Strengths: Mr. Consistency. He’s played all three seasons of head coach Brett Brown’s tenure, each year appearing in virtually all games, but starting in a small percentage. His accuracy, offense, and defense have been productive, if not stellar. He’s the swing man, the guy who comes off the bench and delivers a known level of production.
Offense: The best perimeter shooter on the team. His shooting arsenal is fairly impressive. Particular positive was his 2016 finish, where he averaged over 12 points per game in the last two months of the season. His performance was so impressive, he regained a starting role for the last 15 games of the season.
Defense: Defense is a work in process for Thompson, who continues to need focus on that aspect of his game. This past year, Thompson held opponents to 2.5 percent below their regular shooting percentage from three-point territory. Inside 10 feet, though, is where players had more success against Thompson. He simply is not able to anticipate their inside moves, and he is left behind and they slice in for the score.
Weaknesses: He is consistent on offense, but rather inconsistent on defense. But his plateau of scoring on an average of 28.0 minutes of playing time came in at just 9.8 points per game. In contrast, Carl Landry scored as much on nearly half as much average playing time.
Offense: Thompson is a system scorer. He struggles to create his own shots, and is better suited to a set, catch, shoot offensive scheme. Unfortunately, the new pattern of Sixers offense will require a great deal more off-ball movement, timing, and precision. Ben Simmons will get the ball to the open man. For the most part, the new style is far more conducive to TImothe Luwawu-Cabarrot.
Defense: Thompson will be returning for his fourth season, and this is truly a year where he must display an ability to greatly improve on defense. With the team bringing on so many new players to look at in a role at shooting guard, and in a scenario of “Tall Ball” where Robert Covington or Jerami Grant slide into the two spot, Thompson’s vulnerability to defend opponents must be resolved quickly in training camp.
Probability of 2016-2017 Roster: His chances of sticking on the roster are only slightly ahead of Stauskas. Approximately 68 percent.
Next: Canaan
Isaiah Canaan
Status: Free Agent,good niche player for perimeter shooter
Contracted Through: signed to deal with Chicago Bulls
Current 2016-2017 Salary:
Trade Value: even if signed, he would likely not have garnered much interest.
Strengths: He can play some defense, versed in both point and shooting guard roles. He has an uncanny knack for scoring better from the perimeter than two-point range, and he can score in traffic. When he is hot, he can score in bunches.
Offense: He loves the three-point shot, and the three point shot loves him.
Defense: Knowledgeable to disrupt some plays, but not strong enough to do so consistently.
Weaknesses: Short-statured volume shooter. Not exceptionally athletic, just a hard-nosed ball player who will keep coming at you. When he turns cold, he keeps on shooting.
Offense: He is vulnerable within the arc, and plays best if he sets up in the left corner, gets the ball, and can shoot. Nearly every other shot is low percentage accuracy.
Defense: He is scrappy, and keeps coming after the ball. He is vulnerable to quick steps, and can be beaten both at the perimeter and if he bites on a move to a drive to the basket.
Probability of 2016-2017 Roster: None
Next: Smith
Ish Smith
Status: Free Agent.
Contracted Through:Signed with Detroit Pistons
Current 2016-2017 Salary: N/A
Trade Value: If signed, he would warrant a high 2nd round pick
Strengths: Steady, knowledgeable, mature, good vision. He made a huge difference to team when he arrived.
Offense: He’s fearless. With a team lacking many productive shooters, he oftentimes simply took the shot himself. That pushed his offense near the top of the team, but it was volume driven scoring.
Defense: He’s stronger than realized at defense. At 6-foot-0 and 175 pounds, he is one of the smaller point guards. Still, he’s played for the Sixers twice, and in both occasions he delivered enough to make an argument that he deserved to be considered in a backup role.
Weaknesses: He’s short. He’s light. He played with a lot of heart. He struggled to find wins with the team after Jahlil Okafor went down to injury.
Offense: lacked a perimeter shot.
Defense: overmatched when facing big point guards.
Probability of 2016-2017 Roster: None
Next: McConnell
T.J. McConnell
Status: Active. Surprisingly successful rookie season. Likely slotted for backup role
Contracted Through: 2017
Current 2016-2017 Salary: $874,636
Trade Value: Despite a great first season and low impact on salary cap, likely no better than mid second round pick.
Strengths: A Marine-like mentality: played with heart, hustle, passion, intellect, and grit. Practically willed himself to remain on the roster. He answered virtually every challenge by stepping up his game. He only missed one game the entire season. McConnell ranked second among rookies with 367 assists, finishing just behind Denver’s Emmanuel Mudiay, who logged far more minutes than McConnell did. Defensively, McConnell’s 95 steals topped all first-year players, while his per 36-minute rebounding rate of 5.6 led this season’s crop of rookie guards.
Offense: He’s truly a selfless player, averaging 4.5 assists per game despite averaging less than 20 minutes per game. He shot at a 47 percent rate from the floor, including a 34.8 percent shooting from three-point range.
Defense: He’s a guy who hustles defensively on each play, getting 1.17 steals per game and 3.1 rebounds per game from the point. In fact, his motor revved just as hard on offense as defense.
Weaknesses: He was an undrafted rookie, and had to fight that perception all season. It wasn’t fair, but if he had been a lottery pick in the 2015 NBA draft, he’d easily be in the discussions for starting point guard this season. The fact is tho that he is raw and young, and as such played very inconsistently at the position where consistency is most critical.
Offense: He is a selfless player, but perhaps to a fault. He needs to develop a good shot at the perimeter to force the defense to hang with him. That will allow him to pass off to an open man and benefit the team overall.
Defense: He is still a young man defending wiley veterans. As such he is still guessing and has not honed his instincts and anticipation to where they need to be.
Probability of 2016-2017 Roster: No matter which way the lineup shakes out, he’s earned his right to play this coming season. 87 percent.
Next: Marshall
Kendall Marshall
Status: On Roster
Contracted Through: 2019
Current 2016-2017 Salary: $2,048,257
Trade Value: Late 2nd round pick, minor bench player
Strengths: He played fast and he distributed the ball well. Of the point guards on the Sixers’ active roster at season’s end, Marshall played at the fastest pace. According to stats.nba.com, the 24-year old manufactured a rate of 102.42 possessions per 48 minutes. Despite an average of just 13.3 minutes in just 30 games, he managed to dish out 2.4 assists per game.
Offense: He scored on 36.4 percent of his shots, putting up 3.7 points per game.
Defense: He has not been known as a defensive strength in any of his previous NBA campaigns, and he didn’t do much to overcome that reputation. In addition to point guard, he logged time at small forward, power forward, and shooting guard.
Weaknesses: He is one of the more costly players on the roster, and had some of the least impacts in the season. On a team that needed veteran leadership, he was too injured to provide in early in the season, and too rusty to provide it later in the season.
Offense: His career average of 5.0 points per game surpassed his season average by 1.3 points per game.
Defense: He struggled. He was rusty, was coming off an ACL, but he looked far slower than anyone he defended. Surprisingly, he ran the fastest paced offense.
Probability of 2016-2017 Roster: remote 17 percent.
Next: Simmons
Ben Simmons
Status: First pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, perhaps a true franchise player
Contracted Through: 2020
Current 2016-2017 Salary: $5,903,160
Trade Value: His potential is such that no trade should be considered at this point.
Strengths: He is a bio-engineered basketball player. Tall and strong enough to play front court, self-less, intelligent, court-aware, and handles the basketball well enough to land in the back court.
Offense: He elevates the play of his teammates. His precision passes thread defenses and hit the hands of an open man just as the shot opens up. He has great instincts near the hoop to position himself for rebounds – both offensively and defensively. And he is able to demonstrate an ability to take the ball to the hoop. He is truly a threat to score a triple double on virtually any night.
Defense: His size and instincts give him an advantage. He uses his wingspan to slide his hands into the passing lanes or punch a ball free for a steal. He can also pull down a defensive rebound and start a fast break with a coast to coast pass.
Weaknesses: He is truly a jack of all positions on the basketball court, but as such he will encounter NBA players who are better than he is AT THAT PARTICULAR POSITION. If he plays at the four, he hasn’t developed a consistent three-pointer. If he plays in the back court, he will need to tighten up his handle on the ball. His is just a rookie about to play his first NBA game, but his play makes it easy to hold him to the standard of a six year NBA veteran.
Offense: Head coach Brett Brown already confided that Simmons will need to become more aggressive as a shooter. While that may take some time to perfect, and may expose player and fans to some poor shooting nights, his talent could place him in the mid to upper teens in points per game. Unfortunately, there will be plenty of low scoring games early in the season before that happens.
Defense: His defense is adequate for a rookie, but will need a great deal of work as he begins to discover his natural role in the NBA. If the team does find the path to move Simmons to a point guard, he will need to improve his ball handling and defensive abilities to stay close to NBA caliber point guards.
Probability of 2016-2017 Roster: a certainty. 100 percent.
Next: Luwawu
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot
Status: Active. May alternate time on 76ers roster as well as that of Delaware 87ers
Contracted Through: 2020
Current 2016-2017 Salary: $1,326,960
Trade Value: Surprisingly strong summer league performance cements his worth to late lottery pick.
Strengths: Fearless, self-motivated. Can make his own shots. The highest rated prospect as a two-way player in the 2016 NBA draft. He’s not only what Brett Brown needs, but his style is extremely complimentary to that of Simmons. He easily moves without the ball, giving Simmons the opportunity to pass to the “spot” rather than a static position, frustrating defenders.
Offense: He has solid handles and a naturally smooth shot from the perimeter. In the Las Vegas summer league series, Luwawu scored an average of 8.2 points per game on shooting of 36.7 percent from the floor and 30.8 percent from three point distance.
Defense: He is solid on defense. His size and wing span give him ample opportunity to stay with his man, as he’s quick enough to handle both guards and small forwards. His length and quick handles are a plus, and he’s shown an ability to react to fast-paced defenses. He will overextend if he sees an opening for a steal, and he sees those opportunities frequently. He is a solid rebounder who will work against stronger competition, but he’ll need to get stronger this off-season.
Weaknesses: Raw. He plays from ability moreso than anticipation. His athleticism has allowed him to compensate but he’ll need to improve his experience and awareness to maintain the same presence in the NBA, particularly on offense.
Offense: He loves to make his own shots, and is fearless in doing so. While it’s enjoyable to witness his launch between multiple defenders on his way to the basket, it’s an unnecessary risk. He has good handles, but trusts his ability to pierce defenders a little too much. Needs to improve his shooting accuracy at the NBA level.
Defense: He’s strong in defense. To be honest, he needs to get stronger physically, and then prove that he can defend at that level for the duration of an NBA season
Probability of 2016-2017 Roster: He’s truly gifted, but the 76ers have an option to assign him to D-League. That considered, he has a 60 percent chance of remaining on the roster.
Next: Korkmaz
Furkan Korkmaz
Status: Euroleague
Contracted Through: N/A
Current 2016-2017 Salary: N/A
Trade Value: late first round
Strengths: Shooting savant. Raw talent that has great instincts.
Offense: He has consistently shot the trey at a 40 percent or better accuracy. In fact, Korkmaz has a brilliant overall shot arsenal for an elite three-point shooter.
Defense: Korkmaz has 3-and-D potential, but the defensive side will obviously be an issue until his strength improves
Weaknesses: Raw. Little playing time. Young player trying to earn roster spot on very young NBA team.
Offense: He needs to tighten up on a loose handle, as he doesn’t protect the ball well in the paint. His assist-to-turnover rate (1.4 in 15-16) will need to show improvement. He also was very inconsistent on free throws this year, hitting just 61.5 percent for the 15-16 season
Defense: He needs to mature, get stronger, and get more playing time.
Probability of 2016-2017 Roster: Likely no chance until 2017-2018 season.
Next: Saric
Dario Saric
Status: Active. Can start or come off bench for center, power forward or small forward roles.
Contracted Through: 2020
Current 2016-2017 Salary: $2,318,280
Trade Value: having just arrived, do not expect to see his name in any trade discussions. If he were traded, would expect a top ten pick.
Strengths: Dario Saric is a player who has improved steadily in European play these past two seasons, improving his physical style of play and his perimeter shooting. In fact, it was his play in the Olympics trials that helps lead his team of Croatia over Italy on the road. He not only plays hard, but he has developed a true leadership quality as well.
Offense: He’s solid. He’s nearly as gifted of a passer as Simmons, but he has the benefit of a well-schooled perimeter shot. He also has the ability to position himself to bring down a rebound and hurl the ball coast to coast to set up an easy fast break score.
Defense: His natural position in Turkey’s Anadolu Efes team was power forward. However, he can slide to small forward to help the roster get the most gifted five players onto the floor simultaneously. Should Saric move to the three (or Simmons for that matter), the team may also consider moving Robert Covington to the two spot.
Weaknesses: Saric played in the Euroleague for two seasons, and his skills developed to optimize that team’s roster. As such, he was not given complete autonomy – either offensively or defensively, to truly put himself and his talents to the test.
Offense: Saric has been steadily improving his scoring ability. How much of that ability to score at both the two and three point range has yet to be determined.
Defense: Saric is a physical player who can hold his own against big strong bodies at the post. But he may be called to defend lighter and quicker small forwards in the NBA, a task he has yet to prove he can do.
Probability of 2016-2017 Roster: 100 percent. He fits what Brett Brown wants to do with this team. But where does he fit is yet to be sorted out.
Next: Summary
Jerryd Bayless
Status: Reserve Guard, can play point or off guard
Contracted Through: 2019
Current 2016-2017 Salary: estimated $9,000,000
Trade Value: He’s a reserve guard contracted for three years. In any trade, expect a solid reserve veteran.
Strengths: Jerryd Bayless reminds me of Carl Landry’s play – solid consistent play either in 15 starts or in appearances coming off the bench. He has a nice shooting range, including shooting 43.7 percent accuracy on three-point shots, which was fourth best in the NBA this season. He also scored with some accuracy from mid range. His style affords him the option to play point or shooting guard.
Offense: Last season, Bayless discovered an accurate three point shot. In fact, his perimeter shooting would have lead the 76ers by a comfortable margin. Bayless can create his own shots, and in doing so can create opportunities to take the ball to the hoop or flip the ball over to a shooter or cut off man to pass the ball on to another open shooter.
Defense: Defensively, Bayless is slightly below average. He can be beaten on one on ones but will fight to stay close. He does work his hands onto the ball, resulting in generating a .9 steal per game statistic.
Weaknesses: Was last season a fluke, or the trend for Bayless? If the trend, the Philadelphia 76ers have gotten a bargain, as he can put up minutes off the bench to size up some three point shots, and return before the team can identify his presence on the court and run plays at him.
Offense: Consistency. Can he shoot at a 43.7 percent clip this year?
Defense: Finding a way to limit his defensive shortfalls this season. The team has been working to improve defense at the perimeter, but Bayless does not appear to give the team much hope of progressing in that direction.
Probability of 2016-2017 Roster: 100 percent. The team signed Bayless up for three years, and are in need of a perimeter shooter who can move and play point or shooting guard. Bayless delivers on all counts.
Next: Summary
Gerald Henderson
Status: guard /small forward. Emotional leader of locker room. Passionate motivated player.
Contracted Through: 2018
Current 2016-2017 Salary: $8,801,956
Trade Value: Solid contributor veteran.
Strengths: He is a veteran shooting guard who can start, but played a reserve role last season. Known as a stronger defender, he is actually a solid two way player. He is also an emotional leader, strong in competitive passion, and rises to the occasion in competitive moments during the game. He is also familiar with the area.
Offense: Consistently in the 15 plus points per 36 minutes, his 2015-2016 offense declined as he was forced to adjust to a reserve role. In fact, recovering from injury, it wasn’t until February 2016 until Henderson returned to scoring better than ten points per game.
Defense: Defense is where Henderson is expected to shine, and likely will, for the Philadelphia 76ers. Henderson arrives as the finished product, the example of what Brown is trying to coach in the play of Stauskas, Covington, and Thompson. Perhaps the roster will keep the younger players on board if nothing more than to see how quickly they can develop as teammates of a strong basketball defender.
Weaknesses: Henderson wants to start. Brett Brown likes to rotate his players, even starters, to ensure his roster remains fresh. In his past, if Henderson had played, he had started. This will be a curious dynamic to keep an eye on this season.
Offense: Henderson settles for a baseline jumper way too much, rather than attacking the rim. He also is a streaky shooter and if the shots aren’t falling, he tends to fade out of games. Brown is the perfect coach for that. Hopefully Henderson remains tuned in to his coach when that occurs.
Defense: Henderson is good defensively, but he has the tools to be great. It can very well be that a change of scenery, a roster of young men eager to learn from a veteran, and a coach who cherishes his skills, may give him a renewed dedication and lease on his NBA career.
Probability of 2016-2017 Roster: 100 percent. If the team does not “shift” positions to get a tall ball lineup, he’s the likely starter for shooting guard on opening day.
Next: Summary
Sergio Rodriguez
Status: Active Likely slotted at point guard but with potential to play off ball
Contracted Through: 2017
Current 2016-2017 Salary: $6,800,000
Trade Value: A one-year signing from the Euroleague gives the 76ers virtually no leverage to seek much in terms of trades now. Could increase substantially by trade deadline if playoff team needs back court help.
Strengths: Sergio Rodriguez is a valuable offensive option for the Philadelphia 76ers at the guard position. While he has both NBA and Euroleague experience, his style of distributing the ball through traffic rivals that of Ben Simmons. Added to that his shooting accuracy of over 40 percent from the three and over 50 percent from two point range and it’s clear that he can bring some reason for optimism.
Offense: He developed into a prolific gunner these last few years. He scored on over 40 percent of his three point shots last season. When Simmons sits, he can run the offense seamlessly, nearly matching Simmons ability to pass in the direction of the open man a second before the shot opens up, ensuring the ball is in the hands of the player with the open shot.
Defense: While Rodriguez has aged, he still has above average basketball IQ, and can anticipate moves to the basket. Paired with Henderson, he will draw the task of defender the less gifted guard.
Weaknesses: Rodriguez is a question mark. Despite his success with Real Madrid, and his intrigue to any number of NBA GMs, his 30 year old game is not a consensus to translate to the NBA. His offense may not compensate for his eroding defensive abilities.
Offense: While his game is all about the offense, if he does not appear to be able to translate into the NBA, the team has Jerryd Bayless and Gerald Henderson on the roster, able to contribute offensively – albeit to a lesser extent.
Defense: The team will need to find ways to put Rodriguez into manageable situations defensively. Pairing him with Hederson would be a great first step.
Probability of 2016-2017 Roster: 85 percent.
Next: Summary
Summary
It’s been a long time coming for head coach Brett Brown. Hopefully, in the long wait he’s prepared for this season, because it is almost upon us.
This is not just any roster. It’s a roster filled with versatility. Centers who can play forward positions, forwards who can play center or guard postions, and guards who can play forward positions. In any given night, Brown can send out five guards for a small ball lineup, and in the same game swap out to a tall ball lineup.
Depending on the impact of any trades yet to be, right now the starters on the team seem to be:
Center– Jahlil Okafor Rotating Starter Joel Embiid Reserve Nerlens Noel
Power forward- Dario Saric Rotating Starter Carl Landry Reserve Richaun Holmes
Small forward Ben Simmons Rotating Starter Jerami Grant Reserve Robert Covington
Shooting guard Gerald Henderson Rotating Starter Hollis Thompson Reserve Timothe Luwawu – Cabarrot
Point guard Jerryd Bayless Rotating Starter Sergio Rodriguez Reserve T.J. McConnell
Keep in mind that Brett Brown loves to switch things up. Looking at that roster, I cannot help but notice that four of the five “reserve” players had started for the team last season.
With a roster like this, depth has suddenly gone from dire weakness to shiny strength. That depth will give the team the opportunity to play strong all season and weather storms of the occasional injury.
Next: Is Philadelphia ready for Embiid's Debut?
There is still time for the team to modify the roster somewhat, but with a roster of Okafor, Saric, Simmons, Henderson and Bayless starting, this team will be very strong offensively. Unlike other years where Brown had to coach up his raw talent, this year the players have a strong sense of where and what to do.
All that’s left to do now is to win some games.