Philadelphia 76ers: 5 storylines to watch in 2019 Summer League
1. Milton playing point guard
The Sixers lost T.J. McConnell in free agency, a necessary move that frees up a roster spot for a more natural fit. Now the competition for backup minutes boils down to Shake Milton and Raul Neto, who will sign a veteran minimum contract this summer.
Given Brown’s preference for experienced, high-I.Q. players, the odds are Neto gets the early nod next season. He’s only 6-foot-1 — easily the smallest player on the Sixers’ jumbo-sized roster — but he’s smart, skilled and can shoot. He’s not a bad reserve at all.
Where Milton holds the advantage is defensive versatility. At 6-foot-6, with his wingspan, Milton fits the Sixers’ massive, switch-friendly rotation in a more natural sense. The question is whether or not he can reliably run the offense.
Milton spent time as a point guard at SMU, but he lacks high-level athleticism and dynamic handles. He doesn’t create shots exceedingly well on his own, which might limit his upside as a lead guard.
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With solid instincts as a passer, though, Milton does have the tools to eventually become a full-time point guard. If he can consistently get to the rim, hit pull-up shots and find others in Vegas, his case for minutes over the smaller Neto becomes much more convincing.