Depth Chart Analysis Defines Philadelphia 76ers 2017 NBA Draft Picks
By Bret Stuter
2017-2018 DEPTH CHART
CENTER POWER FORWARD SMALL FORWARD
Joel Embiid (18) Dario Saric Robert Covington (18)
Jahlil Okafor (trade rumors) Shawn Long Justin Anderson
Richaun Holmes
Shooting Guard Point Guard
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot Ben Simmons
Nik Stauskas (18) T.J.McConnell
Gerald Henderson (18) Jerryd Bayless
Now that is just the beginning of the tale. The team contracts for Gerald Henderson, Joel Embiid, Nik Stauskas, and Robert Covington expire at the end of the upcoming season. While the team will likely be willing to part ways with Henderson, there will be a scramble to retain the play of Joel Embiid, Robert Covington and Nik Stauskas.
Fissures
Now you begin to see fissures in the roster going forward. Factor in the anticipated trade of Jahlil Okafor, and the roster begins to appear rather shallow.
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That is the starting point for the true objective GM. It’s not about loading up the roster with shiny players who have a high projected value. It’s about the chess moves of improving this roster with players who deliver immediately at high salary cost (free agents), or deliver eventually at high development costs (draft picks).