7. Wilson Chandler
At least one thing is certain. When the season begins, Wilson Chandler won’t be wearing No. 21 anymore.
Other certainties include dependable bench scoring, wing depth behind Covington that the Sixers lacked last year, solid rebounding, the ability to play both small forward and power forward, and good durability.
He will shoot about or just below league average from three. He will hit two-point jumpers with consistency and finish at the rim. He is going to score off the bounce, a quality seemingly only T.J. McConnell possessed in last year’s playoffs.
Defensively, Chandler is solid, and will only play better in a superior defense anchored by Defensive Player of the Year runner-up Joel Embiid. Chandler has always been a good shot blocking wing, although he’s seen better years in that regard, and he can guard the two when necessary.
He’s a reliable veteran who shoots well from the field. Expect a healthy uptick in his offensive numbers due to a better situation in Philadelphia, where he’ll have more opportunity than he did last year in Denver.
There is no real knock on Chandler except that he is what he is. He’s a solid, reliable player who, at this point in his career, is best fit for a meaningful bench role.
Chandler won’t take over games, but he’s a good rotation player on an expiring contract who fills several holes. He won’t make you forget that we didn’t land Kawhi Leonard, not by a longshot, but you also won’t find yourself daydreaming about Marco Belinelli or a never-gonna-happen breakout from Justin Anderson.