13. Jonah Bolden
Jonah Bolden’s future is very much in question. The Sixers made a hard, somewhat inadvertent pivot away from Bolden this summer, adding Horford and O’Quinn to the mix. With a strong frontcourt and Tobias Harris bound to see minutes at power forward, it’s tough to expect more than spot minutes for the Australian.
I’m still higher on Bolden than the average fan. He has an intriguing skill set — a versatile athlete who can switch screens, defend the rim and hit open 3s. Despite his much maligned slumps last season, Bolden finished the campaign as a respectable 35.4 percent 3-point shooter.
He was also, you know, a rookie. They normally improve as sophomores. If Bolden can iron out his mechanics, cut down on the antsy fouls and become a more reliable rim protector, the Sixers could have a valuable young big with little playing time available.
If so, Bolden functions as a potential trade chip. Rebuilding teams especially could find Bolden’s upside as a hyper-versatile center appealing. There’s a lot to figure out, but Bolden stepped away from the Australian National Team to prepare for this upcoming season. He knows what’s at stake.
Of all the players on the full-time 15-man roster, Bolden could see the most minutes in Delaware. It’s a natural fit — he’d get more run, and there are legitimate aspects of his game to improve. Make Bolden defend pick-and-rolls and battle stronger bigs in the post, then see how the results translate in the NBA.