The Philadelphia 76ers could benefit more than the average team from a three-month hiatus.
The Philadelphia 76ers will transition to the NBA’s Orlando bubble in late July. While the benefits of that move aren’t immediately clear — no home-court advantage is a stinger — it’s not difficult to envision some positives stemming from the Sixers’ three-month hiatus.
Obviously, health is a clear bonus. Ben Simmons was initially expected to miss the remainder of the regular season. Now the Sixers are ready to work him back into the mix. He wasn’t the only player on the roster nursing bumps and bruises either.
Philadelphia should have its entire 15-man roster available when the season resumes. In the event of an injury, Marial Shayok — and maybe even Trey Burke — is waiting in the wings. Other teams have seen key pieces undergo season-ending surgery, such as Bojan Bogdanovic in Utah.
On an individual basis, certain players have more to gain from a three-month hiatus than others. The suspension of play was a bummer for some. Shake Milton, for example, was abruptly halted in the middle of a career-changing hot streak. He may not return as red-hot in Orlando.
This article, however, will focus on three players who could draw significant benefits from a suspended season. Beyond the blanket assumption that a three-month stoppage hurts every team equally, here are the players who might find a silver lining.