With the 2019-20 season on hold, let’s reevaluate the Philadelphia 76ers’ roster.
The Philadelphia 76ers are currently sixth in a top-heavy Eastern Conference playoff race — not where fans expected them to when the season began, and by all measures, one of the most disappointing campaigns in recent memory.
Many factors have contributed to the Sixers’ sour season. Injuries, poor management, poor coaching — fans have thrown a lot at the wall when it comes to criticism. Some think Brett Brown deserves to lose his job. Others would donate arm and leg to see Al Horford traded. A few are ready to forget the season altogether and skip ahead to 2020-21.
Before the season started, when optimism still prevailed among the Sixers fandom, we conducted a poll of sorts. We averaged rankings from nine individual contributors to form one, definitive ranking for every player on the Sixers roster. You can read the results from September here.
With the season on pause and its future in doubt, we decided to reconvene to fill the time. This time around, we have eight individual contributors, and our new ranking features a slew of major changes. As expectations have shifted, so have our writers’ perception of the roster.
Here is our updated Ranking the Sixers Project.
16. Marial Shayok
PRESEASON RANKING: 16
When the 2019 NBA Draft concluded, Philadelphia fans were collectively discontented. The trade package to acquire Matisse Thybulle at No. 20 was largely considered excessive. Elton Brand then proceeded to trade almost all of the Sixers’ second-round picks for cash, not assets. The only pick after Thybulle was Marial Shayok at No. 54.
Shayok wasn’t a heralded prospect. He didn’t crack the top-60 on many draft boards. He was barely in the top-100 on some. An older prospect who bounced between Virginia and Iowa State, Shayok lacked the glitz and perceived upside of other late second-round picks.
This season has largely been spent in the G-League for Shayok, who is buried deep in the Sixers’ wing rotation. And understandably so. The Sixers have several capable wings on the roster, and Shayok’s NBA days are inherently limited due to the nature of two-way contracts.
The G-Leauge has, however, given Shayok a chance to prove his mettle as a genuine NBA prospect. In 35 games before the suspension of play, Shayok averaged 23 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists as Delaware’s primary scoring threat. He’s one of the G-League’s best players.
Naturally, some have compared Shayok’s early career arc to Shake Milton, another late second-round pick who spent his first season on a two-way contract and in the G-League. Milton was similarly dominant last season, and he has burst onto the NBA scene in year two.
Maybe — just maybe — a similar jump is in store for Shayok.
15. Zhaire Smith
PRESEASON RANKING: 8
Before there was Matisse Thybulle, the 76ers had drafted another defensive-oriented guard who just needed to work on the rest of his game: Zhaire Smith.
It was only the 2018 NBA Draft when the Sixers sent Mikal Bridges (who they had just selected with the 10th pick) to Phoenix for Miami’s unprotected 2021 draft pick and Smith, who they selected at No. 16 at the Sixers’ behest.
In what was considered a much deeper draft, Smith was picked four slots ahead of where Thybulle went a year later.
Most know the sad story of Smith’s rookie season, first breaking his foot right after summer league and then suffering a serious allergic reaction to sesame oil that allowed him to play just six games at the end of year.
He seemed to start this year in coach Brett Brown’s developmental doghouse.
Looking for an NBA title, Brown had no interest in what looked like a project and shipped Smith to the Delaware Blue Coats of the G-League. He only averaged 13.5 points for the Blue Coats — nothing special — but Smith could still have a future with the 76ers.
In his 13 career games, Smith has not looked out of place. One could argue that Smith should have been used in the playoffs last year more than some veterans (Jonathan Simmons?). People also forget how young he is. Smith will not turn 21 until June despite two years already as a pro.
He and Thybulle are not the same defensively. Thybulle is more of a gambler, going for steals and blocks while Smith, with his great athletic ability, is a solid on-ball defender. Smith shooting 37.6 percent on three-pointers this season (after a 4-for-18 start) also shows he is progressing in his game.
Some players rise to the level of competition. Smith had his third-year option (unlike Furkan Korkmaz last season) picked up, so count on seeing him in a 76ers uniform next season (whenever that starts) and do not be surprised if he contributes.
14. Norvel Pelle
PRESEASON RANKING: 17
Norvel Pelle started the season as a 25-year-old rookie on a two-way contract. He played center — a position Joel Embiid and Al Horford already inhabited — and outside of Summer League, his exposure to NBA fans was minimal. It’s safe there were no strong feelings on Pelle as a prospect before the season.
He has since earned quite a few fans. While not a perfect player by any stretch, Pelle has carved out a clear NBA role and a path forward in his career. The uber-athletic shot blocker is the basketball equivalent of lightning in a bottle — bursting at the seems with energy.
Pelle can outleap just about anyone. His instincts match up to his athleticism, which makes Pelle one of the best shot blockers people outside of Philadelphia have never heard of. He’s prone to foul trouble the same as most young big men, but his effort level alone is enough to yield a positive impact some nights.
The offensive end is less developed for Pelle. He’s an efficient finisher inside and a dynamic lob threat — which pairs nicely next to Ben Simmons — but on the whole, Pelle is fairly one-dimensional. He can’t shoot, he’s not particularly nimble on the perimeter, and he’s not one to make advanced passes.
Philadelphia doesn’t have a ton of room for third-string centers, and Kyle O’Quinn is still firmly on Brett Brown’s radar. Nonetheless, Pelle has earned a full NBA contract and there’s a good chance he sticks in Philadelphia for at least one more season. All things considered, that’s a major success.
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.
12. Raul Neto
PRESEASON RANKING: 12
On one hand, it’s telling the Sixers — a team in desperate need of a point guard’s skill set — don’t have a role for Raul Neto. On the other hand, he deserves more respect than he often gets. Neto is a solid backup point guard who succeeds in a couple key areas.
Neto’s shooting is his biggest asset at first glance. He’s shooting a blistering 39.3 percent from deep this season, which has flown largely under the radar. He’s not a big-time scorer — only 4.3 points per game — but when Neto is in the game, he can hit a variety of jumpers, both off the dribble and off the catch.
The Sixers have leaned on Neto periodically due to injuries, either to Ben Simmons, Josh Richardson, or other members of the backcourt. He hasn’t thrived, but he has provided a steadfast option in a pinch. He lacks the flash and pizzazz of a Trey Burke, but he limits turnovers, moves the ball, and plays an important role within Brett Brown’s scheme as a ball-handler and shooter.
If it weren’t for the arrival of Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III at the trade deadline, one may have a compelling argument for Neto to receive more playing time. It’s Burks especially when skewered any future hopes of a consistent Neto role. Nonetheless, in a pinch, Neto can still play winning basketball, and there’s value in that this deep in the rotation.
At 6-foot-2, defense is a primary concern for Neto. He’s not a great athlete, and without elite physical tools, he becomes easily exploitable in certain situations. The one rebuttal to Neto’s poor defense is his intensity and his strength. He has a sturdy frame and, for the most part, can successfully glue himself to regular-sized point guards. He’s not a total zero in that sense.
11. Mike Scott
PRESEASON RANKING: 6
Mike Scott is certainly not a player I ever anticipated ranking below Furkan Korkmaz and Shake Milton at the beginning of the season. His 2018-19 campaign was nothing short of spectacular. He was the hidden gem of the Tobias Harris trade.
Scott stepped in and made an immediate impact alongside James Ennis as the one-two punch off the bench. He scored 22 points in a thriller against the Golden State Warriors, sipped a fan’s beer in a late season showdown with the Milwaukee Bucks, and hit a game-winner in Game 4 of the opening series against the Brooklyn Nets.
When the Sixers signed him to a two-year $9.8 million deal at the beginning of the season, I thought it was a steal. Now I have to be a big enough man to admit I was wrong. Mike is averaging 5.7 points this year shooting 40.8 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from three. On the surface those numbers don’t seem that bad, but when you watch him in person the weaknesses in his game become more apparent.
This year Scott’s shot has seemed broken. There was a stretch during the season where he’d release the ball and the fans would hold their breath hoping it was going to catch rim. Couple that with his recent struggles defensively and his slide in the rankings is warranted.
With all that being said, I still believe Mike Scott is a valuable piece to the rotation. He brings toughness, shot making, and a fan connection that is unparalleled for a player coming off the bench. Scott’s role will be important should the season resume, and I believe that he will find a way to get back on track.
10. Glenn Robinson III
PRESEASON RANKING: N/A
A midseason addition, Glenn Robinson’s role hasn’t been as big as expected. He briefly got a chance in the starting lineup upon the benching of Al Horford, but Brett Brown has shown a tendency to lean on the longer-tenured Sixers (i.e. Korkmaz, Milton, Thybulle).
That’s not totally fair, as Robinson’s strong season in Golden State is indicative of a real contributor — not to mention a more well-rounded player than most of the Sixers’ second unit. One could argue he deserves a more steady role and more opportunities on offense.
A springboard athlete and former Dunk Contest champ, Robinson pops on the screen. He’s a rangy lob threat and a versatile defender, equally adept at defending on the wing or rotating inside for a weak-side block. At 6-foot-7, he’s a multi-positional defender. Not an elite defender, but a very useful one.
Due to a variety of circumstances — his expiring contract, his limited role, etc. — it’s likely this is Robinson’s last stint in a Sixers uniform for the foreseeable future. He’s likely to command a contract Philadelphia simply cannot afford next summer. Once the season resumes, the onus is on Brown to experiment and see just how useful Robinson is for a potential postseason run.
In 48 games with Golden State, Robinson averaged 12.9 points on 40 percent shooting from deep. He’s an effective spot-up shooter, arguably the best cutter on the roster, and someone who fits comfortably next to Embiid and Simmons on paper. It’s fair to say we haven’t seen his absolute ceiling in Philly, for whatever reason.
9. Furkan Korkmaz
PRESEASON RANKING: 15
The 6-foot-7, 22-year-old shooting guard almost found himself back in his native Turkey and out of the league in the offseason. After 76ers GM Elton Brand came in late offseason and offered Korkmaz a two-year minimum deal, Korkmaz was back in Philadelphia — despite requesting a trade last season and having his team option declined.
This season was going to be key for Korkmaz’s future in the league. At the end of last season, we ranked him as the 12th best player on the roster. To begin this season, he was at 15, only beating out Marial Shayok and Norvel Pelle, who were both on two-way deals. Now Furkan is up to No. 9 — here’s a look at how he got there.
In just the fourth game of the season (otherwise known as the game Embiid roughed up KAT) Korkmaz poured in 17. The next game he scored 11. But this might have been the game Sixers fans turned the corner on Korkmaz. The Sixers were trailing 128-126 against Portland. With 2.2 seconds left, Korkmaz took an inbound from Ben Simmons and found himself standing open in the corner.
After drilling the game-winner, Korkmaz went on to score in double figures in three of the next four games. He started the next game against Phoenix and scored a then career-high 20 points.
Furkan has provided the Sixers with three-point shooting they so desperately need. He’s shooting nearly 40 percent from beyond and hit seven threes in a game earlier this season against Memphis — where he put up his career high 34.
Defensively, Korkmaz has improved. He is still not the greatest defender and still gets beaten, but the signs of improvement are there. Korkmaz is averaging almost 10 points a game this season, but has struggled with consistency. He has gone three games without scoring and has been held under five points numerous times.
Furkan Korkmaz has improved greatly this season, and with more consistency he could find himself with more minutes. As of now it appears Elton Brand made the right decision bringing Korkmaz back.
8. Alec Burks
PRESEASON RANKING: N/A
The Sixers acquired Alec Burks in the same package that brought Glenn Robinson to Philadelphia. Burks was the main prize, and he has admittedly been underutilized to date. At some point, the Brett Brown deserves some level of criticism, even if a lion’s share of the blame falls on the front office for its poor roster construction.
Even underutilized, Burks has given the second unit a nice facelift. He checks a lot of important boxes for the Sixers — he’s a shooter, he’s a half-decent playmaker, and he can defend his position. He’s arguably the most playable wing in the second unit once the postseason rolls around.
Burks’ shooting numbers have dipped slightly since his arrival from Golden State, but one can expect positive regression in due time. Like Robinson, he’s probably a half-year rental. He will cost too much next summer. For the eventual postseason, however, the Sixers will be lucky to have his services.
As a top scoring option with the Warriors, Burks averaged a cool 16.1 points per game. He was both efficient and voluminous in his scoring, an impressive feat for someone who has been more afterthought than focal point for the majority of his career. All things considered, the price paid for Burks and Robinson at the deadline was a more than fair one.
Brown will need to develop a higher tolerance for Burks once the season resumes. He is too valuable to have such a restricted role in the second unit, especially if Shake Milton moves into the starting five permanently. Burks is a comparable threat from distance, and his ball-handling skills are essential to a second unit devoid of reliable playmakers.
7. Matisse Thybulle
PRESEASON RANKING: 10
Have you ever found a $20 bill in your pocket? A laundry mishap turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Well, Matisse Thybulle is that unexpected find from the 2019 NBA Draft. Where do we start with this rookie gem? How about on defense? There is a reason why he was a two-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year.
Matisse Thybulle’s name has garnered much respect around the league from players, coaches, and NBA commentators. Thybulle’s uncanny instincts when prowling the passing lanes or straight-up digging in on man-to-man defense has been his claim to fame so far. His 7-foot wingspan, to go with his 6-foot-5, 200-pound frame, makes him a nightmare for guards and small forwards on the court. His agility is as impressive as his hand quickness. All of these extraordinary features in his physical frame and ball-hawk tendencies have produced plenty of comparisons.
In the summer of 2019, one draft report pointed out similarities in his game to Raja Bell. Since Thybulle has generated an impressive NBA reel of defensive highlights, he is now getting comparisons to Kawhi Leonard and Scottie Pippen. Not bad for the rookie out of Washington, who, ironically, once played alongside Markelle Fultz.
Thybulle’s offensive feel for the NBA game has yet to catch up to his imposing defensive impact. That will come with time. With more playing time and guidance from his coaches and teammates, Thybulle’s shooting, dribbling, and passing skills will improve. More importantly, his name will be mentioned each year in the Defensive Player of the Year award discussions. Within the next three years, he won’t be like that $20 bill you find in your pocket. He will be more like a Franklin.
6. Al Horford
PRESEASON RANKING: 4
I’m going to defend Al Horford for a second. Bear with me.
Yes, of course, Horford has struggled all season. His season to date transcends the concept of disappointment. It has been flat-out miserable, both for Horford and the fans. He has struggled to find any sort of consistency in a completely alien role next to Embiid and Simmons. Brown has had his work cut out for him, jamming a square peg into a circular hole.
Much has been said about Horford’s poor fit next to Embiid and Simmons, and the damage Horford’s presence has inflicted on both of them. Totally fair. The Sixers should make a strong effort to trade Horford because of it. The opposite, however, is also true. Embiid and Simmons have greatly reduced Horford’s potential to positively impact the game.
At 33, some of Horford’s struggles are rightfully pegged on age. He’s getting older, he has clearly lost a step on defense, and the NBA season is a long and grueling one. He isn’t getting better, and it’s unfortunate the Sixers tied up so much cash in a sinking ship.
Even so, Horford’s resume deserves some level of respect. It’s difficult to chalk up his entire season to the ill-effects of age. Part of it is fit. The Sixers simply lack the personnel to maximize Horford’s unique skill set in the frontcourt. If he was still in Boston, for instance, I would expect the narrative about Horford’s 2019-20 campaign to be drastically different.
Horford is a playmaker at heart. He’s a whip-smart passer who works into the teeth of defenses and picks them apart, subtly and with immense precision. He doesn’t tear it up as a scorer, but he moves the ball, puts himself in the right spots, and helps the offense function as a well-oiled machine — that is, when he’s in a comfortable spot.
The Sixers have forced Horford to resort to spot-up shooting and the occasional post-up. In order to accommodate of Embiid and Simmons’ need to inhabit the paint, Horford has had to clear out and create space. He has seen very few opportunities as a playmaking valve.
So yes, Horford has regressed in a very noticeable way this season, and his drop from No. 4 in the preseason to No. 6 now is an indication of his decline. However, make sure to view his struggles in the proper context. It’s not all directly on him and his tired legs.
5. Shake Milton
PRESEASON RANKING: 14
I’m missing a lot of aspects of Sixers basketball right now. However, I’m not missing the sloppy turnover games or getting notifications that another player will be out for an unknown amount of time. What’s been wracking my brain constantly during quarantine, is the fact that we won’t (or at least for a while) get to see how our sniper, Shake Milton, will finish out the NBA season.
Sixers fans weren’t too sure what Shake would ultimately bring to the table during the season, especially after he went down with a bone bruise and mild knee sprain back in October. As the former two-way star with the Delaware Blue Coats worked his way into the rotation, he eventually got his opportunity to shine.
In February, Ben Simmons injured his lower back and was predicted to miss basically the rest of the regular season. Shake entered the starting lineup and made some waves of his own. He began thriving on the court and exhibited that he deserved a significant role on the team. His confidence flowed through him and converted it into some remarkable performances.
The second-year guard made history as he tied for the most consecutive made three-pointers, hitting 13 straight over three games. It didn’t just stop there, he also set a new career-high for himself with 39 points against the Clippers. He shot 14-for-20 during the road game in March (though the Sixers went on to lose the game, 136-130).
It’s a huge disappointment that we won’t be able to truly experience how the rest of the season would have played out. Hopefully, we’ll get to see Shake bring his unique playmaking abilities and laser-focus shooting to the court soon.
4. Josh Richardson
PRESEASON RANKING: 5
It’s hard to believe that Josh Richardson joined the Sixers just this season. He has meshed so well with the team and has gone through so much as well. Richardson has had his ups and downs this season, but he has definitely showed the fans he wants to win here.
Though I love seeing pictures and videos of J-Rich and his dog on social media, it pains me not to see him out on the court tearing it up when his team needs him. He also showed how much he cared about winning and pulling the team together. Back in February, when it seemed like the Sixers were allergic to road wins and sick of playing together, Richardson led a players-only meeting to bring his teammates together to set their minds in the right place. That act showed Philly fans what he was all about.
In the 48 games that Josh has played in red, white, and blue, he displayed his on-ball dominance. He had to adapt to his new role on the Sixers, as he had to share that aspect of his game with Ben Simmons. Sometimes Richardson was successful in this, but other times it was hard for him not to have the ball in his hands for a majority of the offensive schemes. I think that’s just something that needs to be worked on and tweaked whenever the season starts back up.
Overall, adding Richardson to the squad has been a positive change to the team. They projected their strengths and weaknesses this season, but hopefully, they come back together and work harder than ever (whenever that may be).
3. Tobias Harris
PRESEASON RANKING: 3
Has Tobias Harris met expectations this year? Let’s look at three facets of what he brings to the team.
It’s no secret that offensive production is the primary reason the 76ers signed Tobias Harris to such a hefty contract. Has he delivered in this area? Throughout the season, he has shown that he can score from any spot on the floor. Whether it’s been three-point shooting, dribble drives, mid range jumpers, or post ups, Harris can hang his hat on this aspect for the Sixers.
More good news is that his shooting percentages have been steady, both at the free-throw line and from the field — 80.6 percent and 47.2 percent, respectively. His 36.2 percent three-point shooting average has dipped slightly since last year, but he has been one of the team’s most consistent shooters from beyond the arc.
Defensively, Harris has not been a complete let down. He averages under one block and one steal per game, but his defensive rebounding has been solid at six boards. There have even been instances where he has manned up against his opponent and forced bad shots.
Then, there’s leadership. The intangibles that a player like Tobias Harris brings is immeasurable. For instance, within the locker room, he is one of the few players that initiates team building experiences. This is something that is undervalued in the era of social media and screen time interaction. In addition, Harris has been a great mentor for the younger players like Matisse Thybulle and Shake Milton. Lastly, his on-court leadership has also been good, too. He’s led the way on several occasions, picking up the offensive slack when Joel Embiid or Ben Simmons have missed games.
Will Tobias Harris ever have prolific numbers in order to justify his $180 million contract? Most likely not. Yet, he continues to be a steady player for the Sixers on and off the court.
2. Ben Simmons
PRESEASON RANKING: 2
The second round of The Sixer Sense player rankings are in, and Ben Simmons — The Fresh Prince of Philadelphia — ranks second once again. Simmons and Joel Embiid are the two pillars of this franchise and the fruits of “The Process” labored by former general manager Sam Hinkie. However, when Embiid is healthy, he is clearly the best player on the team and undoubtedly a top ten player in the NBA.
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For Simmons to take over the top spot he obviously needs to improve his jump shot first. There has been a recent report by ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan that Simmons is continuing to work on his jump shot during this impromptu offseason. In the article, his trainer Chris Johnson said “when Ben’s ready to show the world how good a shooter he is, it won’t just be 3s.” We have heard optimistic rumors about Simmons’ shot in the past, so even though it sounds promising, until I witness it in gameplay, I find it hard to believe.
On a positive note, Simmons makes everyone he plays with better because of his basketball I.Q.; his impressive court vision is comparable to LeBron James. By making the right passes and collapsing defenses when he attacks the basket, Simmons frees his teammates up for open shots in a way that few players can. His full-steam-ahead fast break is the most unstoppable play in the NBA today.
Additionally, Simmons has been focusing more of his attention on the defensive side of the floor this year. He leads the NBA in steals this season, averaging over two per game, and he has taken the challenge of defending the opposing team’s best players. With his growth on defense and maturity as an NBA player, he has earned his back-to-back All-Star selections. And if Simmons’ shot is truly coming along this time, he is well on his way to competing for the top spot in our Sixers rankings and maybe one day the top player in the NBA.
1. Joel Embiid
PRESEASON RANKING: 1
This comes as no surprise. There was only one dissenting vote when it came to Embiid at No. 1, and my co-expert Lucas Johnson explained his stance on The Sixer Sense Podcast, which you can check out here on the site. Embiid is, frankly, the Sixers’ top player, and he’s more than deserving of that title.
A hulking 7-footer who is both bruising and nimble, Embiid has single-handedly resisted the NBA’s revolution. He has become the exception to the rule — someone you want isolating in the post, even as the league shifts to the perimeter. Embiid’s efficiency, held up in part because of his excellent free throw shooting, makes him a wholly unique offensive weapon.
For all the talent Simmons possesses as a 6-foot-10 wunderkind, when push comes to shove, the buck stops at Embiid. He’s the one Philadelphia leans on in crunch time. He’s the superstar talent who, if the Sixers are to reach the biggest stage, will experience those patented ‘superstar moments.’
In addition to his bully-ball proficiency on offense, Embiid is a walking top-five defense. His presence alone virtually ensures an elite D, even if the personnel around him is middling. The Sixers have had all sorts of problems this season, but Embiid’s towering clean-up efforts are a necessary constant. He’s one of the top rim protectors in basketball.
Embiid is not without his flaws. He can fall back on black-hole tendencies under pressure. He’s prone to the occasional turnover, or the occasional bad shot. But in the grand scheme of the NBA, Embiid has carved out his spot in the pantheon of modern greats. He’s a top-10 player and will only improve.
The Sixers have one of the league’s most special talents, and he happens to love the city as much as the city loves him. It’s a special bond, and barring injury or ill-advised trade, one that should persist for a long time.