Philadelphia 76ers: How Brett Brown should structure his rotations

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Starting PG: Ben Simmons

“No s–, Sherlock!” is the natural reaction to everyone in the starting five. Philadelphia will start its five best players, leaning into size and physicality more than any team in the NBA. That means unleashing the 6-foot-10 Ben Simmons at point guard.

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Under contract for the next six seasons, Simmons will continue to evolve as a pillar in Philadelphia’s long-term structure. He’s here to stay, regardless of a clunky fit next to Embiid. There’s enough talent to make it work. Simmons can be a high-impact player, even in the postseason.

Simmons earned his first All-Star bid last season. He’s on track for even more growth in year three, even if his jumper doesn’t quite measure up to his pick-up footage. More aggressive takes to the rim, better free throw shooting and fewer turnovers are all avenues to improvement for Simmons.

A polished post-up game would allow Simmons to more effectively exploit size mismatches, which will be common given Philadelphia’s massive rotation next season. He’s already at his best when forcing the issue, getting inside and embracing contract at the rim.

Simmons’ defensive versatility will also go a long way in stabilizing the Sixers’ starting five. As Embiid and Horford lock down the interior, Simmons will need to cover for Harris’ weakness at the three. Expect Simmons to chance smaller players on a regular basis, using his 7-foot wingspan and swift lateral movement to consume ball handlers.