Make way for a new crop
To work through this exercise, we must project the 2018-2019 roster configuration as three thirds. First of all, one lineup is starters. Secondly, another lineup is veterans. And thirdly another lineup will be reserved for developing new players.
That is NOT to say that a veteran is the first player off the bench at all positions. In the case of a highly talented young player, like a Markelle Fultz, the younger player gets the spot starts and quality bench minutes – and may even compete for the starting role down the road. That pretty much takes us to the visual depth chart where we examine the roster.
Roster review
First of all, let’s begin with the 2017-2018 roster from current players and see how this works:
Position Starter Veteran Developing Player
Center Joel Embiid Amir Johnson(*) Richaun Holmes
Power Forward Dario Saric Ersan Ilyasova(*)
Small Forward Robert Covington Justin Anderson Furkan Korkmaz
Shooting Guard J.J. Redick (*) Marco Belinelli (*) /
Shooting Guard () Jerryd Bayless Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot
Point Guard Ben Simmons T.J. McConnell Markelle Fultz
This season, the team has for expiring contracts indicated with a (*) symbol. Of that group, we project the team to look to retain Ersan Ilyasova, J.J. Redick, and Marco Belinelli to sustain veteran presence at key positions on the roster for next season. You can still see weakness at the four role, and excess at shooting guard even now.