Philadelphia 76ers: 5 most important bench pieces, ranked

1. James Ennis

There’s a chance Zhaire Smith elevates into this spot by the season’s end. But for now, Ennis has earned his status as the Sixers’ top reserve. He was integral to their 2018 postseason run, handling tough defensive assignments, grabbing clutch rebounds and draining timely 3s.

Ennis personifies Philadelphia. His effort is a constant, even if the results vary in aesthetic value. Ennis has ugly moments — his shot mechanics are funky, he’s not a graceful driver and his defense can look sporadic — but he’s effective. That’s what counts.

The Sixers will lean on Ennis in the first wave of subs. He will again handle the major defensive assignments when Richardson and/or Simmons rest. It will take time for Zhaire to establish himself as a consistent go-to for Brown, who tends to value experience.

Ennis took less than his market value to return. He’s clearly a fan of Philadelphia and sees his role as an important one. Before the season, he said the Sixers will ‘walk to the Finals.” I’m not sure that’s a fair proclamation, but his confidence is a positive.

Another notch in Ennis’ case for minutes is versatility. He’s bigger than Smith, which allows him to better handle bigger wings. The Sixers can fit Ennis into just about any lineup — a multi-position defender who can hit spot-up 3s and provide energy. He’s the kind of spark plug the Sixers covet.

The Sixers will once again have a top-flight starting five. Having a decent bench at their disposal, however, is a massive boost that could push Philadelphia over the hump.