The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Will Jonah Bolden be on the Philadelphia 76ers this year?

By Ethan Piechota

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 8: Jonah Bolden #43 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball 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: Jonah Bolden #43 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball 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) /
facebooktwitterreddit

2017 Philadelphia 76ers’ second round draft stash Jonah Bolden is playing as a part of the Sixers summer league team for the second straight year. The big man from Australia has a tall task ahead of him in his quest to play on the club’s roster this year.

The Philadelphia 76ers selected center Jonah Bolden 36th overall in last years NBA draft, with his rights still tied to Israeli Premier League team Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C. Bolden impressed last season in Summer League, blocking shots with his extreme 7’3″ wingspan and stretching the floor offensively at the center position.

After his 2017 Summer League debut, Bolden went back to Maccabi and averaged 7.2 points per game and 6.0 rebounds per game while playing around 21 minutes per contest. The 22 year-old entered the 2018 Summer League with much optimism from Sixers fans that he might be able to crack the team’s regular rotation as early as this year.

However, Bolden hasn’t been at his best throughout the first two games of Summer League this year, which he has acknowledged himself on Twitter.

The big man is averaging just 5.5 points and 5.0 rebounds through two games in the summer, which isn’t terrible, but is certainly underwhelming. One thing many fans hoped Bolden would continue to develop was his jump shot, which hasn’t looked great this summer either.

Bolden’s ability to stretch the floor is a key piece of his game that would earn him instant minutes alongside the likes of Joel Embiid, providing length and rebounding defensively and the ability to shoot the ball on the offensive side. The 22 year-old still has plenty of time to work on the consistency of his outside shot and should take as many threes as possible during summer league this year.

An immediate part of Bolden’s game that could help the Philadelphia 76ers from day one is his defensive impact. Bolden’s incredibly long arms and ability to defend out on the perimeter is intriguing, and provides much-needed versatility to any NBA team.

Bolden also rebounds the ball extremely well on both sides of the court, which further showcases his upside as a stretch-five in the modern day NBA.

Can Bolden make the team this year?

On the Philadelphia 76ers current roster, Embiid and Amir Johnson are the only two centers with guaranteed contracts for the 2018-2019 NBA season. Richaun Holmes has a non-guaranteed deal for this season, meaning he could be cut to clear roster space for Bolden.

The question is: do the Philadelphia 76ers value Bolden over a proven NBA backup like Holmes? The 76ers could always stash Bolden for another year and bring him back next year to ensure Holmes’ roster spot.

There certainly will be a competition for a spot between Holmes and Bolden this year, but Bolden must play better for the remainder of summer league to prove his worth.

More from The Sixer Sense

Stretching the floor, activity on the glass, and a consistent and strong defensive impact is what the 76ers coaching staff will be looking at this summer for Jonah Bolden. All three of those skills will be vital in the decision to have Bolden on the team this year.

If Bolden is able to make the team, then he would finally be playing with fellow Australian Ben Simmons. Not only do the two seemingly fit well on the court together with Bolden’s athleticism, but the two’s Australian backgrounds have been intertwined from past generations. The two grew up playing against each other and their fathers – Dave Simmons and Bruce Bolden – are Australian basketball legends.

Next: Sixers "All-In" on Young Core

Simmons was extremely excited when the Philadelphia 76ers selected Bolden in last year’s draft, and will certainly embrace the opportunity to play with Bolden if he is in a Sixers uniform in the future.

The 76ers Summer League team is in action again Monday against the Washington Wizards on NBATV.