The Sixer Sense
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Depth Chart Analysis Defines Philadelphia 76ers 2017 NBA Draft Picks

Bret Stuter|
Mar 11, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (center) battles Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (left) and forward Richaun Holmes (22) for positioning on a free throw during the fourth quarter at Staples Center. The Clippers won 112-110. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (center) battles Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (left) and forward Richaun Holmes (22) for positioning on a free throw during the fourth quarter at Staples Center. The Clippers won 112-110. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 11, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (center) battles Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (left) and forward Richaun Holmes (22) for positioning on a free throw during the fourth quarter at Staples Center. The Clippers won 112-110. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

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).