The Sixer Sense
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Reminder: The Sixers are star-developing, too

By Christopher Kline

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 14: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers high-fives Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the game against the Miami Heat In game one of round one of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 14, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 14: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers high-fives Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the game against the Miami Heat In game one of round one of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 14, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia 76ers didn’t land a star this offseason, but that doesn’t mean they won’t take a step forward next season.

LeBron James is in Los Angeles. Paul George is in OKC. Kawhi Leonard is in Toronto. All the big names connected to the Philadelphia 76ers at the beginning of the offseason are gone, and the Sixers are left with Wilson Chandler, Zhaire Smith and virtually the same roster from last season.

In some ways, that’s disappointing. The Sixers are a young team on the rise and a desirable destination, so many expected them to add another star and take another step forward heading into the 2018-19 season.

But that’s also why their lack of big-name additions is okay — they’re a young team on the rise, and that trajectory is still extremely promising without the likes of LeBron or Kawhi.

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As of right now, the Sixers have two franchises cornerstones in Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. When you factor in restricted free agency, both are locked up long term. They also have Robert Covington, Dario Saric and J.J. Redick, one the best defenders in the league alongside two three-point marksmen.

Just running it back probably makes the Sixers a top-three seed, competing with Toronto and Boston in what should be a fun Eastern Conference race. And, coming off a 52-win season, the Sixers should be able to improve next season without any of those flashy additions.

Many people remember Brett Brown’s star-hunting quote from his exit interview, but many forget the second part of that statement. The Sixers are also star-developing, meaning there is the potential for more All-Star talent that is already on the roster.

The most likely candidate in that regard is Markelle Fultz.

The 2017 No. 1 overall pick played in just 14 games last season, losing his shooting stroke and struggling to find any consistency when he found the court. Fultz looked lost in the postseason and is missing part of the game that got him drafted in the first place.

It was, to say the least, an odd and difficult campaign for the 19-year-old.

And yet, Fultz has the highest ceiling of anybody on the Sixers’ roster outside of Simmons and Embiid. He possesses the feel, playmaking chops and scoring instincts of an elite comboguard in the modern NBA. It’s just a matter of getting him comfortable around a basketball again.

Fultz is working with Drew Hanlen, three times per day, to restore his jumper and polish his skill set this summer. A 41.3 percent shooter from deep in college, Fultz is a proven shot-maker. Hanlen’s confidence hints at significant progress, which means the Sixers might be getting a version of Fultz that, to some extent, can space the floor.

All indications are that the Sixers are working closely with Hanlen to monitor Fultz’s workouts, and Brett Brown’s confidence hasn’t wavered either. If Fultz is capable of shooting anywhere close to the league average — 30 percent from deep, even — he instantly becomes a valuable asset on a competitive team.

At 6-foot-4 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, Fultz showed serious flashes on the defensive end last season. That wasn’t his forte in college, but his ability to break up passing lanes and force turnovers has always been there. Fultz’s physical tools, under Brett Brown’s tutelage, could make him a special two-way player.

On the offensive end, Fultz has already proven himself to be an advanced passer in virtually every setting. Whether it be in transition or in the pick-and-roll, he has the vision needed to see plays unfold and pinpoint passes that seldom materialize for 19-year-olds.

Even without a jumper, he averaged 3.8 assists in 18.1 minutes per game last season. He’s another ball-handler — something the Sixers lacked last season — who can take pressure off Ben Simmons and run the offense in the halfcourt.

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At Washington, Fultz was an elite scorer who drew comparisons to James Harden and D’Angelo Russell. He obviously needs a jumper to validate those comparisons, but the base skill level is certainly there.

With herky-jerky dribble moves and an impressive sense of pace and control, Fultz is able to carve out space with ease. His hesitation moves earned Kevin Durant’s respect in Summer League, while his craftiness and ability to finish in traffic makes for plenty of highlight plays around the rim.

In recent years, I’ve spent countless hours researching the draft and formulating opinions on a plethora of different prospects, both home-grown and overseas. Few prospects have had the natural scoring gene that Fultz possesses, from his poise as a ball-handler to his wide variety of go-to scoring moves.

If Hanlen and Co. is truly able to restore his jumper, Fultz has clear-cut All-Star potential. He would also be one of the Sixers’ more valuable assets, both next season and beyond. In an ideal world, he takes Dario Saric’s spot in the starting rotation at some point next season.

The Sixers have essentially stood pat this offseason. Adding another star would have been beneficial, yes, but there are also benefits to internal growth and valuing long-term upside over immediate results.

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In an NBA that’s dominated by the Warriors, the Sixers should have no issue taking the longest view possible. Star-hunting is important, but so is star-developing. That’s what the Sixers are doing with Markelle Fultz.