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What should Sixers fans expect from Zhaire Smith next season?

By Owen Nelson

(Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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To some, it was shocking when the Philadelphia 76ers traded for Zhaire Smith. Here’s what to expect from him next season.

Throughout the pre-draft buildup, it was a consensus that Zhaire Smith is very far from a finished product. The former Texas Tech standout is just scratching the surface of what it could become one day. Smith may become the next Andre Roberson, or the next great two-way guard in the NBA.

The 6-foot-4 guard will not be relied on to produce from day one, as the Philadelphia 76ers have already have defense in Robert Covington and Ben Simmons. Additionally, Wilson Chandler was acquired during the offseason. Markelle Fultz even showed great flashes on defense after his 68-game absence. Smith, however, will be able to contribute if called upon.

The Good

The main trait of Smith that jumps (pun intended) off the page is his work ethic. The rookie was a three-star prospect, ranked 194th in the nation by 247Sports a year ago. Fast-forward 365 days, Smith became the 16th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. That sort of progression and improvement certainly doesn’t happen overnight, it’s a true testament to his insanely impressive work ethic.

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Furthermore, Smith has drawn comparisons to the new Toronto Raptors’ forward, Kawhi Leonard. Now, obviously their size is a big difference, but there’s a lot of similarities. Such as the way they conduct themselves — both are very quiet, hustlers, grafters and are always defense-first players. Having players who are willing to go that extra mile on defense is imperative to make a run for the championship. Could Smith be the Curry stopper?

Smith possesses insane athleticism — he might already be the most athletic player in the NBA. The elite-level athleticism was on display during Summer League. Smith’s first step is frighteningly quick. Also, some of the dunks were just jaw-dropping. I can’t wait to see some more Sports Center Top 10 Highlights from Smith in the near future.

One skill that caught me off guard was Smith’s ability to find a pass. I never realized Smith was such as great passer until I saw him at Summer League. The flash and confidence he possesses when in control of the ball is encouraging, he could eventually develop into a secondary playmaker for the second-unit this season.

The Bad

On the contrary, Smith has an unreliable offensive game — it’s still very raw. Elite athleticism can only get you so far in the NBA. In Smith’s lone season with the Red Raiders, he did shoot 45 percent from three, however, he only attempted 40 three-pointers in 37 games. The sample size is far too small. NBA scouts weren’t too big of fans of his mechanics either, Brett Brown stated it was an area that they wanted to work on.

There are not many bad areas for Smith, with a bit of tutoring he could really develop into a great piece for the Sixers. It’s crucial Smith works on his outside, I’m sure he’s working on it as we speak. He only shot 20 percent from three during Summer League, but he didn’t lack confidence in pulling the trigger which is a good sign. Hopefully, Smith doesn’t end up being Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot 2.0.

What to Expect?

I wouldn’t think Smith will get many minutes early on in the season, he may start in the G-League. However, injuries are inevitable, Smith may be called upon to play big minutes at times. Furthermore, his defensive prowess could be of great use throughout the season. Smith may be the backup two-guard, however, if we do acquire another guard, like Kyle Korver, Smith’s minutes will get reduced.

Next: How Simmons, Mitchell, Tatum should be rated in NBA 2K19

Potential Stat-line:

6.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.2 SPG, 39 FG%, 28 FG3%, 69 FT%