How Are Former Philadelphia 76ers Performing In This Year’s Playoffs

With this Philadelphia 76ers roster’s season over, it is good for Sixers fans to watch former 76ers currently participating in the postseason.

The Philadelphia 76ers were still in the rebuild mode this season for the most part, and were unable to reach the postseason yet again. Sadly, with the team not making it to the playoffs, fans are already looking towards the NBA Draft and free agency this summer. There is nothing wrong with that at all, but fans are looking for a reason to be interested in the postseason. Following former Philadelphia 76ers is a good way to keep an interest for die hard 76ers fans.

All postseason stats that are used are from the individual player pages on NBA site of ESPN.

Eastern Conference

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Michael Carter-Williams was the former Rookie of the Year with the Philadelphia 76ers, but now he has been relegated to the bench and has not seen much time with the Chicago Bulls, especially this postseason.

Even with their starting point guard Rajon Rondo out, the Bulls still do not trust Carter-Williams with big minutes. So far this postseason, Carter-Williams has only averaged 12 minutes a game and less than 2 points a game. It is fair to say that the Sixers have won the trade that sent Carter-Williams out of town. The future does not seem brighter for Carter-Williams, who is set to become a restricted free agent this year. He has to prove his worth in the playoffs, but he has to fight for playing time between two other guards on Chicago’s roster including another former 76er (more on him later). Hopefully the Sixers and general manager will not pursue Carter-Williams this off season.

The other 76ers on the Bulls roster is combo guard Isaiah Canaan. In the postseason, Canaan was not used at all until Game 4 of the Bull’s first round matchup. In his lone game off the bench, Canaan had a solid postseason debut. Canaan had 13 points, 9 of which were from 3-pointers, 2 rebounds, 3 assist, and 2 steals. Even though the game ended with a loss, Canaan could provide good production for the team when called upon.

Now coming off the bench for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kyle Korver was once a part of Philadelphia 76ers. Korver has always been a great shooter and is a free agent this summer. If the young Sixers want to add a veteran leader with a killer shot, then Korver should be on the top of their list. This postseason, Korver is providing good bench support for the favorites of the Eastern Conference to reach the Finals. In 17 minutes per game, Korver is averaging, 5.3 points and shooting 38.5 percent from 3-point land.

Thaddeus Young did all he could for the Indiana Pacers this post season, however the former Sixer could not get one win with the Pacers this postseason. Starting all four postseason games, Young averaged for the eliminated Pacers, 12 points, 9 rebounds, 2.5 assist, 2 steals and shot 53.8 percent from the floor.

Another former Sixer that was on the eliminated Pacers is Lavoy Allen. Allen only averaged 3 minutes a game this postseason and didn’t even average any points. He is set to be a restricted free agent this season, but this Sixers should not even have him on their radar.

Former Sixers stretch big man Spencer Hawes is not getting much burn this post with the Milwaukee Bucks. In three appearances this postseason, Hawes is only getting a little less then 6 minutes of floor time and only averages1.7 points, 1.3 rebounds, and shooting 50 percent from three. He is set to be a free agent this summer and he was one of several former Sixers I believe the team should look at.

Jason Smith and the Washington Wizards just suffered their first playoff defeat by the Atlanta Hawks in game three. The former Sixers big man has provided the Wizards solid play this postseason. In 16 minutes of playing time, he has averaged 3.3 points, 4 rebounds, and shot 44 percent from the floor.

A recent former Sixer, Ersan Ilyasova has been solid for the Hawks this postseason. His 35.7 percent field goal shooting could be better, however, he is averaging 5.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. With Ilyasova being a free agent this summer, the Sixers may want to bring him back to provide depth at the stretch forward position.

Western Conference

Former Sixers All-Star Andre Iguodala has been the sixth man of the powerful Golden State Warriors. In this postseason, Iguodala has averaged 8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. The Warriors are clicking on all cylinders and it is because of what Iguodala can bring off the bench. Now, Iggy is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer and if the Sixers can pry him away from the Warriors, he could be an integral part of their long-term success. Besides being a veteran leader and has the ability to ball every night, he could also mentor Ben Simmons. They both have that all around game style of play and Iggy can help grow that naturally in Simmons.

Philadelphia 76ers

JaVale McGee may have only appear as a Philadelphia 76er for 6 games, but his impact on the Warriors this postseason may have Sixers fans missing the goofy 7-footer. In three games off the bench, McGee has average 13 minutes,11.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2 blocks and has shot 84.2 percent from the floor. McGee is set to be a free agent and if the need raises for center depth this off season then maybe McGee should be considered.

Luc Mbah a Moute was one of the very few veterans that former general manager Sam Hinkie kept for a full season. The former Sixer now finds himself in a tough playoff match up against the Utah Jazz. Now as a the starting small forward for the Los Angeles Clippers, Moute is averaging 7.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1 steal and shooting 39.3 percent from the floor.

Moute and others on the Clippers have to pick up the slack now that Blake Griffin is done for the rest of the postseason due to injury. If Moute does exercise is player option, then he will be an unrestricted free agent, however, if that does happen, the Sixers should not entertain returning the defensive forward. This is because at this stage of the rebuild, the team needs shooters and he definitely is not one.

Another former Sixer that has to step up his game because of the Griffin injury is Marreese Speights. Since the injury to Griffin, the Clippers big man has been starting. Speights has averaged 7 points, 3 rebounds, and is shooting 43.5 percent from the floor this postseason. Like Moute, Speights has a player option this offseason and could be a free agent. If the Sixers need depth that bad, then Speights could be on the teams list.

Lou Williams has been phenomenal for the Houston Rockets this post season. The former Philadelphia 76er has average 18 points and 4 rebounds. The combo guard has shot 47.2 percent from the floor and 43.8 percent from three. He is not a free agent, however, and if the Sixers could acquire him this offseason he could be a great short term solution for the Sixers. For the time being, he and the Rockets, led by former Sixers assistant coach Mike D’Antoni, are a great watch this post season.

Dewayne Dedmon is currently a part of a playoff run by the San Antonio Spurs. Dedmon’s postseason averages are 1.3 points, 5 rebounds and perfect shooting from the floor. It appears the Spurs are utilizing the former Sixer big man correctly. He currently holds a player option for this summer and if he does decide to exercise it then he may be worth returning to the Sixers if a need for an extra center arises.

One of the fan favorites from “The Process” Jerami Grant is playing as hard as he can for the Oklahoma City Thunder. As a reserve this postseason, Grant’s averages are 8.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 0.5 blocks, and 65.2 percent shooting from the floor. Grant is a restricted free agent with a team option this summer, but it hard to imagine the Thunder letting him go. Fans can only hope that the Thunder will make a mistake and allow Grant to walk back to Philadelphia.

Former second overall pick of the Philadelphia 76ers is currently on the Portland Trail Blazers, Evan Turner. Turner is currently struggling with his shot, he is only making 38.5 percent of his shots. He is averaging 11.3 points, 7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Turner and the Blazers are looking at elimination from the Warriors if they do not get a win in their next game.

Regardless of how long or short a player has played with the Philadelphia 76ers, they will always be considered a former Sixer. That holds true for Shelvin Mack, who only played four games for the Sixers ever. Currently, Mack is a backup point guard on the Utah Jazz. This postseason he is currently averaging 9.8 minutes, 1.3 points, and 22.2 percent shooting. Mack is an unrestricted free agent this summer, however, even with the need at point guard for the team there is no need from them to consider Mack based on his post season stats.

Next: Philadelphia 76ers Johnson’s Weekly Mailbag

Besides the draft, free agency, and summer league, the loyal fans of the Philadelphia 76ers should be excited about the playoffs even though the current team is not participating. Fans should be happy for all former Sixers who are currently enjoying success on playoff teams.