Fit with the Sixers
The Sixers need speed. Kachow, Lightning McQueen speed. Keanu Reeves keeping a bus above 50 MPH speed. In basketball terms, the Sixers need someone to boost the halfcourt offense. Someone who can penetrate the defense, put pressure on the rim, and effectively create for both himself and for others. Lewis is a prime option.
With no cap space and a limited number of options on the trade market, it’s wise for Philadelphia to invest properly in the point guard position. Shake Milton is a shooter, not a point guard. Ben Simmons is a point forward, not a point guard. Even if CP3 walks magically through the door next season, it helps to have multiple playmakers on the roster, and it’s high time the Sixers front office accepts that.
In Lewis, the Sixers would have a viable backup point guard who can develop into a starter. He can space the floor and shoot off the catch, which allows for compatibility next to Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. But, more than that, he can inject that speed into the halfcourt offense, tearing his way to the rim, hitting pull-up jumpers, and helping to un-stagnate the Sixers’ slow and dysfunctional offense.
Too often, Philadelphia’s offense is relegated to sticky possessions dominated by hesitant shooters who can’t beat their man off the dribble. Too often it’s Tobias Harris backing fruitlessly into a difficult fadeaway, or Josh Richardson hacksawing his way to a long, contested two. At some point, the Sixers need a guard who can comfortably get dribble penetration — who can actively force the defense to make decisions and leave shooters. Lewis is that kind of guard.
The size is less of a concern for Philadelphia than it might be for other teams. Even if Al Horford is gone next season, the Sixers are massive, and a lot of defensive versatility stems from the mere existence of Embiid and Simmons. The Sixers can cover a lot of ground and effectively hide a 165-pound point guard who, if nothing else, competes hard.