Philadelphia 76ers: One Christmas gift for every player

Shake Milton: More defensive maturity

On paper, Shake Milton is a perfect fit for the Sixers. He’s a long guard who can shoot, handle and, at the college level, defend. Milton has been productive in brief stints on the floor, usually leaving his mark on garbage time. He just doesn’t appear ready for real, important minutes yet.

That’s due to his defensive maturity, or lack thereof. He’s still getting used to the scheme and NBA pace, often getting lost in rotations or exploiting in isolation. Adding more strength to his long 6-foot-6 frame would also help.

Long term, there’s reason to have optimism regarding Milton’s future with the Sixers. It might take another season or two for him to break into the regular rotation, though. That’s normal for rookies, especially those drafted outside the first round.