The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers: 3 players who may not return next season

By Lucas Johnson

Philadelphia 76ers, Elton Brand (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Philadelphia 76ers, Elton Brand (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Kyle O’Quinn | Philadelphia 76ers (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Kyle O’Quinn

When the Philadelphia 76ers signed Kyle O’Quinn this past summer, I applauded the move. O’Quinn was a proven center in the NBA who’s calling card is rebounding and is underrated as a playmaker. Yet, throughout this season, it’s become clear that he’s not a great fit on the roster.

It’s not because he’s played bad, he’s actually played pretty good when he has received minutes. This season he’s averaged 9.9 minutes, 3.3 points (career-low), and 3.8 rebounds, while converting 48.6 percent of his attempts from the floor.

Despite being productive in limited minutes, O’Quinn has had a hard time breaking into the rotation. Al Horford is the primary backup for Joel Embiid and even if one of those big men aren’t available, head coach Brett Brown has turned to rookie big man Norvel Pelle more often than O’Quinn.

O’Quinn’s in the prime of his career and will in all likelihood search for a team that has a bigger need at center than the Sixers whenever free agency begins. This is the second season in a row that O’Quinn’s not been a main rotational big, the first season was when he was with the Indian Pacers. It’s a shame that Brown has put O’Quinn so low on the totem pole, because it gives his good reason to leave in free agency if he chooses to do so.