Philadelphia 76ers: Ben Simmons back at point guard?
Is Ben Simmons the Philadelphia 76ers starting point guard again?
This past season, former Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown tried All-Star Ben Simmons in a new role entering the NBA Bubble in Disney World. Instead of playing point guard, the All-Defensive team player was shifted to power forward.
With Brown gone and the roster in flux entering the draft and free agency, it was unclear what Simmons’ role on the team would be. However, based on moves made in the draft and free agency, it’s becoming clear how the Sixers’ new president of basketball operations Darryl Morey plans on using the All-NBA player.
Ben Simmons appears to be the Sixers point guard again.
The 76ers acquired shooters like Danny Green and Seth Curry in separate trades before and during the NBA. Then they drafted combo guard Tyrese Maxey, shooter Isaiah Joe, and big man Paul Reed.
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They didn’t trade for a veteran point guard, nor did they get a pure playmaker in the draft. It’s clear that to begin this season, Simmons will be the 76ers starting point guard. It’s a role he’s more than comfortable in and thrived in during his first three seasons.
Does that mean that he will continue being the point guard for years to come? That’s uncertain at this point. Maxey is a combo guard with limited playmaking ability, but he has shades of Kyle Lowry and Russell Westbrook in his game. If he were to eventually develop into a starting-caliber point guard, then Simmons’ position could change.
Assuming Maxey does, then Simmons could slide down to one of the forward spots. If he develops a reliable pull-up jumper he’d probably be a small forward, to accommodate Tobias Harris’ strengths. If not, then probably the power forward spot and Harris would be forced to play out of position.
However, that doesn’t appear to be the case at the moment. Unless the Sixers pull off a surprise trade for an above-average point guard it appears Simmons has the position on lockdown entering the season.
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Based on the fact the Philadelphia 76ers haven’t gone out and acquired an above averaged pure point guard, it seems that for now, Simmons is once again the franchise’s starting point guard.