3. Fewer minutes for…
Mike Scott and Glenn Robinson III.
This negatively impacts Scott more than any other player (besides Horford, maybe). Scott has been in and out of the rotation all season, and Simmons’ move to power forward — combined with Horford’s move to the second unit — could eliminate any extra playing time at the four.
Scott has theoretical value as a spot-up shooter, but his jumper hasn’t been falling this year. If his jumper isn’t falling, his defense and his ancillary skills simply aren’t enough to produce positive value. The Sixers have been trending away from Scott all season, yes, but this is the nail in the coffin.
As for GRIII, he should receive more playing time as the postseason nears. He’s probably the third-best player in the second unit behind Horford and Burks. But the Sixers still have plans for Matisse Thybulle and Furkan Korkmaz lineups — two players who have established chemistry with Simmons. If it comes down to a nine-man group in the playoffs, Robinson could be the odd man out.
It seems a bit improbable at first glance, but Brown specifically mentioned Thybulle and Korkmaz as part of a lineup combination he plans to utilize. Horford and Burks take the other two reserve spots in Brown’s nine-man group, and there’s no space left for Robinson. Unless he shows out in the regular season, it’s very possible the GRIII experience in Philadelphia will be short-lived and unmemorable.