First big off the bench: Mike Scott
Load management taken into account, the Sixers will still spend the majority of games with Embiid or Horford manning the center spot. That opens a place in the rotation for Mike Scott — a fan favorite, hard-nosed, sharpshooting forward who fits next to both.
Scott hit 40.1 percent of his 3-point shots last season. He’s a nifty spot-up threat who can also work the mid-range game on occasion. While not a great defender, his effort level and strength afford some utility. He’s also mobile enough to handle switches.
Accompanying Ennis, Scott was one of two usable reserves in the 2019 postseason. He earned Brett Brown’s respect and should enter next season getting a decent chunk of minutes as a result. He also has past chemistry with Al Horford to build on, a nice little bonus.
There’s a good chance he’s in the first wave of reserves.
Ben Simmons — James Ennis — Tobias Harris — Mike Scott — Al Horford
Ben Simmons — Josh Richardson — James Ennis — Mike Scott — Joel Embiid
Trey Burke — Josh Richardson — Ben Simmons — Mike Scott — Al Horford
Scraps: Kyle O’Quinn, Jonah Bolden
As the Sixers load manage Embiid and Horford, extra minutes will naturally become available throughout the regular season. Kyle O’Quinn is the batter player — a smart, physical interior defender who can fill a role on offense. But Jonah Bolden‘s development should still hold some weight.
Bolden is a versatile athlete who can shoot, switch on defense and thrive in an up-tempo system. He has a lot to put together, but the tools are there — and they’re underrated at this stage. Brown shouldn’t phase Bolden out of the picture entirely.