Just How Good Are Philadelphia 76ers 2016 NBA Rookie Class?

Dec 5, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) misses a dunk attempt past Denver Nuggets forward Darrell Arthur (00) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Denver Nuggets won 106-98. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) misses a dunk attempt past Denver Nuggets forward Darrell Arthur (00) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Denver Nuggets won 106-98. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
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Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo during an introduction press conference at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo during an introduction press conference at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

VM Another Potential PG prospect

Euroleague’s Vasilije Micic can be recalled to the Philadelphia 76ers lineup, and is thereby included in the assessment of raw and future impacting talent on this team. Drafted 54th in the famous (or infamous) 2014 NBA Draft, Micic is a 6-foot-5 206 pound point guard.

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At this point in time, Micic is more of an asset, than a feasible 2016-2017 impact player.  However, this can change.  As Ben Simmons assumes his role as point guard with his arrival, that could impact the team’s design on point guard going forward.  Micic, at 6-foot-5, has many similarities with 6-foot-10 Ben Simmons.  Both are tall (obviously), good distributors, and will create shooting opportunities for teammates. It’s no stretch to see that he has the potential to serve well in a backup role.

Another Role

But Vailije Micic can serve another role on this team as well.   As the Philadelphia 76ers continue to fall below the NBA salary cap, Micic becomes that trading chip to allow the Philadelphia 76ers to absorb costly players from other teams with a draft pick fee.  It happened when the Philadelphia 76ers absorbed the contracts of Carl Landry, Jason Thompson, and Nik Stauskas, plus draft picks, from the Sacramento Kings in 2015. In the deal, the 76ers  sent the rights to Arturas Gudaitis and Luka Mitrovic, drafted 47th- and 60th-overall in the 2015 draft respectively, to the Kings.

With the trade deadline on the horizon, an NBA team near the playoff picture may seek salary relief in order to take on an expensive player.   In that scenario, Micic may come into play.

Rookie Grade: C