13. Kyle O’Quinn
PRESEASON RANKING: 9
Kyle O’Quinn reportedly wanted out at the trade deadline. While that’s not necessarily a surprise — Pelle has given him competition for the limited available minutes at center — one has to question O’Quinn’s expectations coming into the season. He knew Embiid and Horford were on the roster.
Despite his apparent unhappiness, O’Quinn appears destined to finish his one-year stint in South Philly. He’s still a good third-string center. Most experiences with O’Quinn this season have been positive. He’s a nifty passer, his three-point shot is real, and he’s a sturdy presence in the paint. He can get roasted in pick-and-roll coverage, but as a post defender, O’Quinn is perfectly apt.
The Sixers may need O’Quinn to pick up spare minutes between now and season’s end. Horford continues to struggle, and Embiid’s style of play is prone to nicks and bruises. Having a veteran who can step in, move the ball, and exist cohesively on offense carries some value, even if he’s personally unsatisfied with his role.
O’Quinn started the season higher on this list, when even fans expected him to have a bigger role. Perhaps the expectation was Horford would spend even more time at the power forward than he did, in turn opening up minutes for O’Quinn. As it turns out, O’Quinn just isn’t that essential. Not to mention Horford’s sudden incapacity at the four spot.
Still in the middle of his prime, O’Quinn will probably find a better home in the offseason. A lot of less competitive teams are in need of a decent backup center. O’Quinn isn’t the most modern center, but he has some modern skills to keep pace — his passing chops chief among them.