Furkan Korkmaz is outplaying a consistently-underwhelming Nik Stauskas, and earning a Philadelphia 76ers rotation spot as a result.
It’s strange to me how consistently everyone — including myself — counted out Furkan Korkmaz earlier this offseason. He’s skinny, sure, but that shouldn’t be the only factor keeping him out of a rotation made up of wings who have consistently underperformed in recent years.
Neither Justin Anderson nor Nik Stauskas have lived up to expectations that were set coming out of college, while Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot remains a sizable question mark, despite his performance towards the end of last season. There’s a pretty clear lane for Korkmaz to grab some serious minutes in the Philadelphia 76ers‘ everyday rotation, and so far he’s making a convincing case to do just that.
Philadelphia 76ers
From the Blue x White scrimmage to preseason in general, Korkmaz has performed well above expectations. He’s knocking down threes from NBA range with ease, while his ability to put the ball on the floor and score in the lane is something scouts wanted to see more of in the early stages of his career. He’s also providing legitimate pressure defensively, overcoming his lack of strength with constant energy and length to spare at the two.
With Stauskas’ inconsistency, Anderson’s lack of a 3-point shot and Luwawu’s struggles last season, it’s virtually impossible to argue against the fact that Korkmaz is the team’s best reserve shooter on the wing — assuming we see Jerryd Bayless playing the majority of his minutes at the one. Spacing is valuable both league-wide and in Brett Brown’s movement-heavy system, and having capable shooters on the floor will be imperative in any playoff run the Sixers can muster.
At this rate, Korkmaz might be their best bet.
As there is with any rookie, there will be a learning curve for Korkmaz. Preseason success doesn’t translate immediately into the regular season all that often, and Korkmaz does come to the team with some serious flaws (both physically and skill-wise) that he’ll need to address — from decision-making to isolation defense.
But that shot is legit, and his mechanics show no signs of regression. If he’s given more time with the likes of Markelle Fultz, Ben Simmons and Dario Saric — guys who make things easier on the shooters around them — Korkmaz should find plenty of room for open shots in Brown’s offense.
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There’s also the benefit of continuity between the first and second unit. As I’ve touched on with Simmons and Saric in the past, having players in both the first and second unit who can run the same plays with success is a massive boost for any group. Sticking Korkmaz into some of the same actions as J.J. Redick could have a similar, albeit less noteworthy, effect.
Korkmaz won’t be a good NBA defender next year, but he’s a mobile 6-foot-8 wing who’s invested in that side of the ball. He’s not a pushover, and he has the instincts needed to slither his way into passing lanes and irritate those trying to go around him.
A strong shooter with potential off the bounce and some defensive promise is what the Sixers have been lacking in years past, and Korkmaz has a chance to provide that in spades behind the newly-signed J.J. Redick. He might need a few weeks to establish his productivity over some of the team vets (i.e. Nik Stauskas), but there’s no reason to believe Korkmaz can’t find himself playing a real role for this team by the season’s end.
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He was among the best international prospects in the 2016 class for a reason, and figures to prove why as next season transpires. Plus, Stauskas just hasn’t looked good. At all.