Philadelphia 76ers: Who Will Be Back 2017-2018 Season?

With the end of the Philadelphia 76ers season in sight it is never to early to speculate of who should stay and who should go.

For the first time in several seasons that Philadelphia 76ers fans will have more than just the draft to look forward to this summer. There has been major progress with this young roster. The team has some legitimate pieces to build around.

As this team continues to grow there are some players that will not fit in the long term plans. With that in mind, there are players that are apart of the those plans — for some it is too soon tell and for others, it is time to go.

Analyzing stats will definitely be a factor in where each player fits into the franchise’s plans, however, that will not be the only factor. Draft status and what the Sixers surrendered for the player will also contribute to the franchise. Additionally, any major off-court issues will be examined. The other major factor that will be analyzed will be their fit in offensive and defensive schemes.

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Sixers fans should be very excited of where the franchise can build from this young core. The question remains — how much longer can the team keep players with a very limited ceiling and effectiveness?

Keepers

Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Dario Saric are the core of this team going forward, regardless of who they add in the upcoming draft and free agency. Simmons did not play at all this season, but he still has too much hype and potential not to keep him.

Embiid showed that he can be a superstar in this league in the limited time he had this season. Embiid could have been unanimous Rookie of the Year if he had played more than 31 games. In those games, he averaged 20 points and 7.8 rebounds in 25 minutes per game. If he can manage to stay healthy and not pull a Brandon Roy, then there is great optimism in the City of Brotherly Love.

Saric has proven since becoming a full-time starter that he has starting potential as well. According to ESPN stats splits, since after the All-Star break, Saric has averaged 19.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.1 assist, and 0.7 blocks per game. He could be the best third option in the NBA if he continues to grow into his game.

T.J. McConnell and Robert Covington are defensive aces, both topping the NBA in steals. Regardless of if they start or come off the bench, they will be great rotational players for the Sixers. Speaking of defensive talent, Justin Anderson has the potential to join McConnell and Covington as top defensive players in the league.

Per Game Table
Season	Age	Tm	Lg	Pos	G	GS	MP	FG%	3P%	2P%	eFG%	FT%	ORB	DRB	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PF	PTS
2016-17	23	PHI	NBA	SF	13	0	18.5	.507	.250	.698	.560	.833	1.2	3.1	4.3	1.1	0.5	0.2	1.1	1.8	7.2

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/24/2017.

Since joining the Sixers, it is evident that he can become something special.

Richaun Holmes has been a spectacular as a backup center this season. He is great insurance for Embiid if he continues to struggle with injuries. Holmes is also a perfect fit to the system that head coach Brett Brown has implemented.

Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot has show flashes this season, but has been inconsistent during his first season. Inconsistency is normal for a rookie and there is no reason why the front office should move on from him until they have a longer look at him. If he becomes consistent he could be a very good two-way player.

On The Bubble

Jerryd Bayless is a veteran guard that, in his first season with the Sixers, barely played due to injury. He was brought in to play alongside Simmons because of his ability to play off the ball. The sample size is too small to tell if he is a fit with the current roster.

Per Game Table
Season	Age	Pos	G	MP	FG%	3P%	2P%	eFG%	FT%	ORB	DRB	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PF	PTS
2016-17	28	PG	3	23.7	.344	.400	.333	.375	.900	1.0	3.0	4.0	4.3	0.0	0.0	3.0	1.3	11.0
Career			513	21.3	.414	.366	.436	.471	.825	0.3	1.8	2.1	2.9	0.6	0.1	1.5	2.1	8.6

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/25/2017.

General manager Bryan Colangelo will need to see both Bayless and Simmons in action before deciding on Bayless’ future.

Like Bayless, Gerald Henderson has the veteran aspect to his resume. He provides stability in the locker room and is having a solid season for the team as well. According to Basketball Reference, he is averaging on the season, 9.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assist per game. With the potential of a lot of wing players coming in via draft and free agency, he may not get the playing time he deserves. Depending on what Colangelo does this summer will dictate if it is fair to keep Henderson on the roster.

Nik Stauskas has shown some progress this season as well.

Per Game Table
Season	Age	Tm	Pos	MP	FG%	3P%	2P%	eFG%	FT%	ORB	DRB	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PF	PTS
2014-15	21	SAC	SG	15.4	.365	.322	.408	.446	.859	0.2	1.1	1.2	0.9	0.3	0.2	0.5	1.3	4.4
2015-16	22	PHI	SG	24.8	.385	.326	.473	.483	.771	0.3	2.2	2.5	1.9	0.6	0.3	1.3	1.6	8.5
2016-17	23	PHI	SG	27.2	.406	.377	.441	.511	.803	0.3	2.5	2.8	2.1	0.6	0.4	1.6	1.8	9.3
Career				22.4	.389	.345	.445	.486	.803	0.2	1.9	2.2	1.6	0.5	0.3	1.1	1.5	7.4

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/25/2017.

It just shows that Brown can develop players. Still, he does not appear to be the long-term solution at shooting guard. However, he does deserve playing time, so if the Sixers manage to pick up a young shooting guard option, then moving on from Stauskas would be wise. If they can not, then keeping him would be in the best interest of the franchise.

They Gotta Go

Jahlil Okafor needs to go. During his time with the 76ers Okafor has had poor defensive effort, nagging knee issues, off-court issues, and ineffective offensive tools. Yes, he can score but honestly, the Sixers do not need an old school center. Fans are getting sick and tired of the lack of effort on the floor by the big man. The Sixers should use a draft day deal to get the Duke product out of Philadelphia.

Sergio Rodriguez is going to be a free agent this summer and the smart move is to let the aging point guard walk. He has proven that his best role is to be a back up, but the Sixers will most likely have that role filled by McConnell once they draft or sign a point guard this summer. He did a great job in mentoring McConnell this season, no doubt about that, however, with McConnell and Bayless still on the roster along with a point guard coming this summer, there is no need to keep Rodriguez.

Tiago Splitter has yet to hit the floor for the Sixers since coming in the Ersan Ilyasova trade. It was thought Splitter was just a throw-in for the deal and he hasn’t had the chance to change that perception at all. At the age of 32 and with recent injury woes, Splitter is not a good option to sure up the Sixers front court rotation.

Shawn Long is the hardest player to have on this list. In limited minutes he has proven that he has potential to add to this team.

Per Game Table
Season	Age	Pos	G	MP	FG%	3P%	2P%	eFG%	FT%	ORB	DRB	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PF	PTS
2016-17	24	PF	9	10.2	.667	.333	.697	.681	.577	1.4	2.4	3.9	0.7	0.4	0.7	0.6	2.9	7.1
Career			9	10.2	.667	.333	.697	.681	.577	1.4	2.4	3.9	0.7	0.4	0.7	0.6	2.9	7.1

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/25/2017.

That said, with former general manager Sam Hinkie gone and with everyone set to return next season, there is a shift in mindset and a “win now” mentality is in full swing.

If Long had come along even just last season, he might have found a place to stick with the 76ers. Sadly that is not the case, but with his play at the end of the season he should find a landing spot for himself next fall.

Next: Philadelphia 76ers: Can Brett Brown Coach up Okafor’s Defense?

If these predictions hold true the Philadelphia 76ers will have a very stable roster going into next season.