Philadelphia 76ers: Can Trey Burke and Raul Neto play in the postseason?

The Philadelphia 76ers have a superstar point guard in the making in Ben Simmons, but the team’s backup point guards were exposed in last year’s playoffs. Because of this issue, Elton Brand signed Trey Burke and Raul Neto this offseason. Will either of these players have an impact in the upcoming postseason for the Sixers?

The Philadelphia 76ers‘ biggest issue in the postseason last year, outside of Joel Embiid‘s odd illnesses, was bench play, specifically at the point guard position. Philly’s starting lineup was arguably the best of all the playoff teams, right up there with the Golden State Warriors, yet the team fell short and lost in the Conference semifinals to the Toronto Raptors in heartbreaking fashion.

The Sixers were hoping Furkan Korkmaz and T.J. McConnell could play serviceable minutes to give Ben Simmons rest in the postseason, but when it came down to it, Brett Brown had to shorten the roster and Jimmy Butler became a secondary point guard option.

So can either of the Sixers’ new additions — Raul Neto or Trey Burke — garner enough respect and prove they deserve to be in a postseason rotation for a title contending team?

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First, let us get to Neto. He averaged 15 minutes per game during his first four years in Utah, so the role the Sixers need to fill does fit his experience. However, to be clear, Neto will not be a game changer that can impose his will on other teams. His career points and assists per game averages are 4.8 and 1.9, respectively. Neto, even at 27, will be a veteran on this young roster. He also has playoff experience, even if it is somewhat limited.

Trey Burke is the other player brought in to help take some of the workload off of Simmons. A journeyman at the age of 26, the 76ers will be Burke’s fifth team since he entered the league in 2013. Journeyman can sometimes have a negative connotation, but my honest belief about Burke is that he has not yet found the right fit for his talents.

He is an athletic, explosive guard that can create his own shot. Last year with the Knicks, Burke had somewhat of a rebirth and showed off his offensive skill set, averaging 12 points in only 21 minutes of game play. His playoff experience is practically zero, yet I still think what he brings to the team is more valuable and desirable for the 76ers in the playoffs than Neto.

Neto is some ways reminds me of McConnell in that both can be game managers and do what they are told, but neither will surprise anyone, including the opposing teams. On the other hand, Burke’s speed and handles allow him to get to the rim and create more opportunities for other players around him. He has potential to be the perfect fit for this team.

I believe Burke’s impact will be seen in next year’s postseason and he could be a key role player in the Sixers’ journey to an NBA championship.