The Sixer Sense
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Sixers to face Celtics, Lakers in Las Vegas Summer League

By Christopher Kline

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 8: Markelle Fultz #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Golden State Warriors during the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League on July 8, 2017 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 8: Markelle Fultz #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Golden State Warriors during the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League on July 8, 2017 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia 76ers’ schedule for the Las Vegas Summer League has been released.

Once again, the Philadelphia 76ers will participate in the annual Las Vegas Summer League, starting on July 6. The tournament will last until the championship game on July 17, with the Los Angeles Lakers looking to defend their title.

The Sixers’ schedule for the preliminary round has already been released, with a handful of intriguing matchups on the docket. They’ll start things off with a primetime game against Boston, a rematch after the Sixers’ second-round elimination last month.

They’ll then go on to face the Lakers, probably using L.A.’s own pick against them. The final game of the preliminary round will be against the Washington Wizards.

After those games, each team will be seeded and the tournament will begin. The Sixers lasted only five games last summer, recording an uninspiring 1-4 record. Part of that can be attributed to the loss of Markelle Fultz, who went down early with an ankle injury.

This summer, the primary question facing the Sixers is whether or not Fultz will participate. He missed most of the 2017-18 season with an apparent shoulder injury, playing 14 games total. He struggled in those 14 games, averaging 7.1 points and 3.8 assists on 40.5 percent shooting. He missed his lone three-point attempt.

Fultz has been working with renowned trainer Drew Hanlen this summer, presumably working to regain the shooting form that made him the No. 1 overall prospect coming out of Washington. Hanlen already has an impressive track record, including the likes of Joel Embiid and Jayson Tatum.

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Perhaps the most important aspect of working Fultz back into the rotation is his confidence. He needs to be willing to attack the basket and look for shots, regardless of how often they go in. He’s already an advanced facilitator, but won’t reach his ceiling if scoring isn’t a regular part of his offensive diet.

That wasn’t the case in the playoffs, which is why the Sixers had to deploy T.J. McConnell midway through the Heat series. If Fultz isn’t ready to shoulder a significant offensive load against pro-level competition, the Sixers should be wary about risking further damage to his confidence in Summer League.

Even with limited playing time, Fultz proved he’s an NBA-caliber talent last season. Getting extra reps in Summer League would be helpful, but it’s not overly important in the long run. How Fultz feels should — and will — go a long way in determining whether or not he plays.

We might see Furkan Korkmaz, who had a few strong games last season. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot also made an appearance, struggling mightily before getting injured. That could have served as foreshadowing for his rough sophomore campaign.

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Along with any players on the current roster, the Sixers will boast the 10th, 26th and some combination of second-round picks in July. Assuming they don’t swing any big trades, that’s a nice assortment of potential talent.