The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Can These Philadelphia 76ers Win Games?

By Bret Stuter

Jan 27, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown talks with his team during the fourth quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons defeated the 76ers 110-97. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown talks with his team during the fourth quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Pistons defeated the 76ers 110-97. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 1, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) and center Jahlil Okafor (8) celebrate a score against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers won 103-91. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) and center Jahlil Okafor (8) celebrate a score against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers won 103-91. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Competition and Contract Years

This year marks the last contract year for: Nerlens Noel, T.J. McConnell, Hollis Thompson, Carl Landry, and newly signed Sergio Rodriguez. While it’s likely a safe bet to assume that the team will not pursue retaining all five players, there is always that extra incentive for the players to do especially well statistically in what has become know as a “contract year”.

In any pro sport, that last year of an existing contract usually finds the best from that athlete, eager to play well enough to assure an optimal contract offer in the off-season. But in the case of the NBA, that contract year is important in another way as well:

In the collective bargaining agreement, the NBA has created a slotted salary arrangement for rookies entering the league via the draft, while focusing the payouts of the contracts to happen after that rookie contract expires.  That means McConnell, Thompson, and Noel will likely be looking to earn significantly more next season.

Compounding that is the fact that the NBA careers usually see steady improvement over time until years five through seven in a player’s career.  Many players enter the league at 20 or younger, and it takes several years for their body to develop fully to compete with mature veterans.

While none of the five players will be assured of starting, and will likely be pulling their minutes from the bench, Brown has demonstrated a keen awareness in being willing to give the entire roster significant playing time, and will modify the lineup to get the hot hand onto the court.

With a double reward system in place of huge payout next season and earning playing time, it will come as no surprise to find one or more of these five making huge strides this season, enough to make a difference in some games’ outcomes.

Additional Wins from Improvement:

PLUS TWO

Next: Thirty Wins