Philadelphia 76ers roundtable: Final roster predictions for 2019-20 season

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(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Jack Duffy

PG — Ben Simmons
SG — J.J. Redick
SF — Jimmy Butler
PF — Mike Scott
C –Joel Embiid
Bench — Trevor Ariza, George Hill, Ed Davis, Troy Daniels, Anthony Tolliver, Zaza Pachulia, Zhaire Smith, Jonah Bolden, Shake Milton, Matisse Thybulle, Christ Koumadje (two-way), Marial Shayok (two-way)

I believe Tobias Harris walks in free agency as he looks to have a bigger role on a playoff contender, whether that is the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers or another team. Jimmy Butler won’t turn down a five-year, $190 million contract.

With Tobias signing elsewhere, there is cap room to bring back one of the Sixers’ most important offensive players, J.J. Redick. The Sixers used the J.J.-Embiid dribble-handoff as one of their primary offensive plays throughout last season. J.J’s shooting is crucial to creating more space for Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid to work.

Mike Scott was a fan favorite and I predict he comes back on a conservative multi-year deal around $5 million annually. He would be the primary backup comboforward, providing shooting and capable defense and energy.

The Sixers only getting Jimmy Butler in return leaves the Sixers with a hole at the power forward slot which I believe they fill with a veteran(s) 3-and-D player. I predict this to be Trevor Ariza who had a disappointing year last season, not due to his play but due to playing for two non-playoff teams in the Phoenix Suns and the Washington Wizards. Ariza will look for a chance to contend and get quality playing time and Philadelphia can offer that.

As for the big holes on the Sixers bench — backup point guard and backup center — I see them going after veteran players with playoff experience. As Elton Brand has alluded to, the Sixers need veteran players that have gone through the playoffs and I predict them signing George Hill and Ed Davis to fill those roles. Zaza Pachulia is also getting older and has championship experience with the Golden State Warriors and he would also be a viable backup or third center option as we will see Embiid missing games for load management to rest his knees.

The last two guys I believe the Sixers sign would likely get very little playing time but would need a specific skill to be used on a game-to-game basis based on the team’s need and that skill is shooting. Anthony Tolliver and Troy Daniels have proven to be accurate, efficient, spot-up three point shooters during their career. A team can never have enough shooting.