What Will the Philadelphia 76ers' Second Unit Look Like in 2017-2018?

For what seems like an eternity, the Philadelphia 76ers have been looking for players who can stay on the court. Now, things are starting to actually look bright.

Despite the team’s two best players are out with injuries, the Philadelphia 76ers are starting to move in the right direction. Rather rapidly. This roster has more potential for long-term NBA careers than ever before. With the 2017 NBA Draft approaching and a plethora of talent on the team waiting for a chance, it is time to evaluate which players are good enough to back the stars up next season.

Point Guard: T.J. McConnell

T.J. has made great strides this season. He has established himself as one of the most precise passers in the league, as he averages 6.3 assists per game in 25.6 minutes. Although he won’t be the one to provide instant buckets off the bench, his basketball I.Q. and ability to take care of the ball will be valuable to the second unit of the fast-paced Sixers. He only shoots 20 percent from 3-point range, which must change if he is going to start for the team going forward. He’s a luxury player for the Sixers’ bench at the moment, though. Many contenders in the NBA could use a pass-first point guard who can go for 8 and 8 in limited minutes.

Shooting Guard: Nik Stauskas

Sauce has truly shown this season that he belongs in the NBA. All of his main stats have improved from last season to the current one. He has shown a great handle at times this season, which makes him a dual-threat offensively with his constantly improving jumper. He’s started most of the year and averaged 9.3 points, 2.8 boards, and 2.1 assists in 27 minutes per game. For someone who came out of college as a shooter, his stats are well-rounded.

Add a 38 percent 3-point shot, and you have a young player who can develop into a consistent scoring threat. Stauskas will add composure and experience to a young second unit, so he may be the go-to guy when the backups are in trouble.

Small Forward: Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot

TLC has improved dramatically over the past few weeks, so much so that he could feasibly be the third choice for Rookie of the Year behind Philadelphia 76ers teammates Dario Saric and Joel Embiid. The Frenchman has a future as a solid three-and-D starter in the future. Naturally, the best way to get him closer to becoming a starter on a good team is to give him minutes, so that is what the Sixers will do.

Though he plays as a shooting guard, he’ll still be getting minutes on the wing as at the three. With averages of five points, two rebounds, and one assist in 15 minutes per game, TLC makes the most of his time. Against the Nets on March 28, he went for 17 points and nine rebounds. And yes, the Nets are one of the worst teams in the NBA, but if Luwawu-Cabarrot turns flashes of brilliance into consistent play, he will be a great asset off the bench.

Power Forward: Richaun Holmes

Playing two true bigs in the second unit is a risk, but the two who are paired together here have completely different skill sets. Holmes is a great athlete who can block shots with ease and throw down monster dunks. Honestly, he has played well enough to be the lone post presence on the second unit when the 76ers get to full strength, but given the fact that Jahlil Okafor is still on the team, the two may have to find a way to make it work. Holmes has asserted himself as one of the league’s premier interior defenders, as he blocks one shot in just 19.3 minutes per game. Additionally, 8.9 points and 5.1 rebounds off the bench are pretty good numbers for the fourth center in a three center logjam.

Center: Jahlil Okafor

On one hand, Okafor could work wonders as a second-string center. On the other hand, it could work as well as it has when he’s started. With Holmes controlling the paint on defense in this scenario, Okafor’s lack of effort will be masked. Also, since the ex-Duke player will only be depended on for 20 minutes per game at most, Brett Brown won’t have to worry about him bringing the team down on the defensive end.

For all of his faults, Okafor is still really tough to guard on the low block in a one-on-one. If he can learn to pass and find his teammates on the arc, then his trade value will skyrocket. Remember, he’s still just 21 years old and he averaged 17.5 and seven rebounds in his rookie year.

If he plays against second-string centers, his ballerina-like footwork will be impossible for backup defenses to handle. Finally, remember that Philadelphia 76ers fans everywhere should be grateful for the fact that he literally fought for the integrity of the franchise in his rookie year.

2017-2018 Solid

The great aspect of next year’s second unit is the familiarity of players. That, and of course the versatility. Nik Stauskas can play both guard positions. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot can play both wing positions. Richaun Holmes can play center or power forward. So as the team works rookies into the line up, there is plenty of flexibility to getting them onto the court. And it’s more important to plan how to use players than dangle them unwanted to trade rumors.

Time to learn our lesson.

Next: Can Dario Saric Become The Sixers’ Second Unicorn?

With plenty of draft picks to use in the 2017 NBA Draft, and a solid cast of players starting and making up the second unit, these Philadelphia 76ers are destined for better and brighter seasons.

What Will the Philadelphia 76ers’ Second Unit Look Like in 2017-2018?

By Rusty Gorelick | Mar 30, 2017