1. Ben Simmons
Simmons might not be the Sixers’ best player right now, but he’s arguably their most important long-term piece. The 22-year-old put together one of the best rookie seasons in NBA history, averaging 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game.
At 6-foot-10, Simmons’ defensive versatility is often undersold. He can legitimately guard all five positions, which can’t be said for many players. He spent time checking Russell Westbrook and Al Horford, offering Brett Brown tons of flexibility with his defensive rotations.
On the offensive end, Simmons is a generational talent. There are very real shades of Magic Johnson in his playmaking, whether it be glitzy dimes in transition or pinpointing an open shooter on the perimeter.
Simmons has a lot of room left to grow offensively, especially with his scoring. He’ll need to develop a semi-functional jumper at some point, while his finishing touch at the rim could stand to improve. Generally speaking, he needs to be more aggressive getting to the rim and looking for his own shot.
Assuming he continues to improve, though, Simmons should quickly elevate into the ranks of the league’s best players. He’s arguably in the top 25 as things currently stand, and top-10 status is within reach.
As the Sixers’ playmaking hub, keeping Simmons on board should be their first priority — an absolute no-brainer.