1. Internal growth & superstar talent
Joel Embiid has played two NBA seasons, one of which was cut short by injury. Ben Simmons has played one NBA season. Markelle Fultz has played 14 regular season games. There is no reason to expect regression from that group.
As things currently stand, Embiid is in the discussion for best player in the Eastern Conference. This is also his first healthy offseason, allowing him to smooth over some rough edges while getting into peak physical condition.
Embiid should be able to play a full minutes load next season, a luxury the Sixers haven’t yet had. He has also worked on his three-point shot, ball-handling and reading double teams, all of which will drastically improve his effectiveness (and efficiency) as Brett Brown’s offensive focal point.
Simmons doesn’t need to come out of the gates shooting threes to improve. He can work on his finishing touch around the basket, adding more post moves and upping his aggressiveness as a scorer. The Sixers were at their best when Simmons searched out his own shot last season.
He can also work on diversifying his scoring profile, doing more work in the post and as a cutter. Adding another ball-handler (Markelle Fultz) will theoretically help him achieve that.
Fultz was the NUMBER ONE PICK not too long ago. He became the youngest player ever to record a triple-double last season, despite losing control of his shooting mechanics. He clearly possesses star-caliber talent, it’s just a matter of how much his jumper improves. Drew Hanlen’s confidence should be viewed as a positive sign.
The Sixers have added more depth on the defensive end and have the most talented duo in the conference. Embiid and Simmons are both transcendent players who will keep the Sixers competitive on their own. Building a more functional two-way team around them only helps.
The Sixers lost two valuable pieces in Belinelli and Ilyasova, but they were also chronically flawed pieces. With a potentially improved bench and more experienced versions of Simmons and Embiid, expect the Sixers to take a step forward — not back — in the 2018-19 season.