The Philadelphia 76ers have solidified there front court depth with the free agent signing of form Boston Celtics big man Amir Johnson.
The Philadelphia 76ers had questions about front court depth going into the off season. It took until free agency for the Sixers to properly address it. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the 30 year old Amir Johnson has agreed to play for the Sixers this upcoming season. The deal worth 11 million dollars for one year. By bringing on Johnson, this will help solidify the front court rotation. The depth does not include picks from this year based on the fact that beyond Markelle Fultz there is none them will play with the Sixers this season.
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Small Forward
Although Amir Johnson is not expect to play any small forward, his presence still at the power forward and center will affect the playing positions of other front court players. It is assumed that Ben Simmons will start with Robert Covington being his primary back up. Simmons could easily start at power forward and have Covington would then start at small forward. With the more than likely scenario of Simmons starting at the three and Covington being his primary back, the Sixers will have a good one-two punch at the small forwards. Other players that could see time at small forward could be Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Justin Anderson, and Dario Saric.
Power Forward
Dario Saric is who I personally have slatted as the starting power forward. It is not hard to imagine that Saric will improve his 3-point shot enough to complement Simmons and Joel Embiid. Roger Acker of The Sixer Sense has a different spin on Saric’s role. As previously mentioned, Simmons could also start at power forward. Going with Saric starting Simmons will still see time at the power forward position as well. Johnson, Richaun Holmes, and possibly Jahlil Okafor. Johnson has played the four position for years, Holmes has experience at the position as well and head coach Brett Brown may want to experiment with Okafor at the four again. Still the four positions has suddenly become deep this season for the Sixers.
Center
Joel Embiid is the unquestioned starter at center, anyone who follows the NBA knows this. The question becomes who will be his primary back up? Some would say Johnson, but actually it is most likely that he would be a third or fourth string center. The Sixer Sense’ co-site expert Christopher Kline has Johnson as a third string center with Okafor not being a factor in the rotation.
The only problem with Okafor not being a factor on the roster is that if the Sixers still want to deal him then they need to play him. If they play Okafor as main back up then they will get better deal in return. All depends on the his health and most both Okafor and Holmes will split time as the back up for Embiid. Johnson would be clear fourth string at center if Okafor is still on the roster and health at the season’s start. If Okafor is not healthy or no longer on the roster then, Holmes will be the primary back up with Johnson as the third string. Fans could see Saric at the five spot in small ball lineups.
Next: Philadelphia 76ers: 2017 Free Agent Big Board
Johnson does solidify the depth that the Philadelphia 76ers had questions about. He will provide veteran leadership to a young Sixers roster. Hopefully, Johnson will grow winning culture to the Sixers.