The Sixer Sense
Fansided

If league expansion happens, who should the Sixers keep?

By Christopher Kline

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 9: Robert Covington #33, Markelle Fultz #20 and Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on during practice as part of the 2018 NBA London Global Game at Citysport on January 9, 2018 in London, England. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 9: Robert Covington #33, Markelle Fultz #20 and Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on during practice as part of the 2018 NBA London Global Game at Citysport on January 9, 2018 in London, England. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 10
Next
Philadelphia 76ers
PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 24: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Miami Heat in Game Five of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2018 at 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Joel Embiid

Embiid is arguably the best center in the NBA and he’s only 24. As somebody who has transformed the process from a mocked team-building strategy to a rallying cry, the Sixers’ only max contract would be an obvious retainment.

Outside of Rudy Gobert, no center in the NBA matched Embiid’s defensive impact last season. His unique blend of size, strength and speed makes him an imposing deterrent at the rim, altering shots and single-handedly changing offensive game plans.

He can also survive on switches, an area he will continue to improve as his conditioning improves. Not many 7-foot-2, 250-pound men can stick with guards off the dribble. Embiid is one of the few who can.

On the offensive end, Embiid — like Simmons — is a generational talent while plenty of room left to grow. The speed with which he learns things is incredible. He adopts new moves with regularity, making him one of the most dynamic isolation scorers at his position.

Efficiency, perimeter shooting and limiting turnovers are all things Embiid needs to work on. With that said, this is also his first healthy offseason in the NBA. He should also get closer to a full practice schedule next season.

Embiid’s basketball I.Q. and ability to learn and adapt will be on full display with more time to, you know, practice the game. Many have focused on Markelle Fultz’s work with Drew Hanlen this summer, but Embiid is the one who brought him there in the first place.

The big fella is going for the MVP trophy next season.