Ranking every Philadelphia 76ers player on the 2018-19 roster
14. Jonah Bolden
Something Jonah Bolden and I have in common is that last year we both spent time in Israel. Something we don’t have in common is that he’s a gigantic human basketball prospect who you are far more interested in.
First and foremost, Bolden signed a four-year, $7 million contract this offseason. He’s a development guy who should, eventually, turn into a bargain role player. The ideal is for him to deliver impact off the bench, but probably not this year. This season is all about development.
Bolden’s positives are his defense and the potential to be a stretch four/five, although his shot isn’t there yet. He’s strong enough to guard bigger players and athletic enough to stay with some small forwards, allowing him to guard three positions well (SF, PF, C), which is useful on a defense not hesitant to switch.
The negative, and it’s a big negative, is his offense, especially the aforementioned lack of a consistent three-ball. Even if Bolden only becomes a career 35 percent three-point shooter, that’s a huge boost to this team. Right now, Bolden could probably be counted on to defend well when players ahead of him on the depth chart get hurt, but offensively he won’t feel much different from, say, Reggie Evans.
In time, though, he should develop into a good offensive player. Probably not a starter, but someone who doesn’t make you feel like you’re only playing with four guys on offense.
This year, Bolden should be strapped to the bench, playing exclusively in garbage time and as necessary due to injuries. Ahead of him on the depth chart are Embiid, Saric, Muscala, Amir Johnson, Ben Simmons (when the Sixers play ‘small ball’), and Wilson Chandler will get time at power forward. There is not and should not be a path to regular playing time for Bolden.
That’s okay. Sitting on the bench for a year or two to learn the league can be a boon. Brett Brown will almost certainly work closely with Bolden to keep him engaged and learning while he’s not playing. With Bolden, the focus isn’t so much on this year as it is the following three.
Oh, and if you’re looking for an X-factor in Bolden’s development process, don’t forget that, like Simmons, Bolden is from Australia. I wouldn’t put it past Ben to make sure this guy develops into someone capable of a meaningful role on Australia’s 2020 Summer Olympic team. If that happens, Bolden will be right on schedule to deliver for the Sixers, too.