First PG off the bench: Trey Burke
Trey Burke and Raul Neto will enter training camp in the most heated battle for playing time. The two have battled for minutes before, doing so in Utah. Neither has a clear leg up at the moment, but I tend to lean Burke.
The Sixers need a spark in the second unit. Burke can get buckets, whether it’s step-backs, pull-ups or acrobatic finishes inside. He’s undersized and a negative defender, but his shot creation skills fill a gaping hole in the rotation. He can help stem the tide when Harris and/or Richardson sit.
Burke seems like the natural fit to spell Simmons (and occasionally play next to Simmons) as a result. He’s a better 3-point shooter than Neto, giving him another leg up.
Trey Burke — James Ennis — Josh Richardson — Mike Scott — Joel Embiid
Trey Burke — James Ennis — Tobias Harris — Ben Simmons — Al Horford
Trey Burke — Josh Richardson — James Ennis — Mike Scott — Joel Embiid
Third-stringer: Raul Neto
There’s a reasonable argument to put Neto in the previous slot. He’s a better defender, a superior passer and a solid shooter in his own right. This is a near-50/50 battle. There’s a good chance Brown tests both early in the season, as he should.
Scraps: Shake Milton
He’s probably not a point guard, but Shake Milton‘s feel and passing touch might earn him spare reps at lead guard. The Sixers invested a four-year rookie scale contract in Milton, so there’s obviously some level of confidence in his development.