Sixers NBA Draft Primer 2021: Overview, roster breakdown, analysis

Sixers NBA Draft preview

Before listing names the Sixers should consider in the draft, let’s first examine their current roster makeup and what next season might look like.

Sixers starting lineup

PG: Ben Simmons — signed through 2025, an All-NBA defensive player this year (save the Simmons trade debate for later, as of now, he is the Sixers point guard and a good one too)

SG: Seth Curry — signed through 2023, not much else to say about Seth other than he leads the NBA in 3’s per game.

SF: Danny Green — contract expires after this season, this will be an exciting debate in the offseason and, more likely than not, will come down to Green’s playoff performance.

PF: Tobias Harris — signed through 2024, an All-Star having a career year.

C: Joel Embiid — signed through 2023, possibly the league MVP.

Sixers bench

Shake Milton — signed through 2023, potential sixth-man of the year.

Matisse Thybulle — signed through 2023, great defender but still struggles offensively.

Furkan Korkmaz — contract expires after this season, probably won’t be back in Philly next year but for now a streaky shooter.

Dwight Howard — contract expires after this season, maybe the best backup Joel has had? Almost a guaranteed four fouls a game but a good locker room presence and rebounder.

Mike Scott — contract expires after this season, doubtful to return with his rare playing time.

Terrance Ferguson — contract expires after this season, almost assuredly out the door.

Tony Bradley — contract expires after this season, in all likelihood, will not return, not a solution to being a backup for Joel.

Tyrese Maxey — signed through 2024, an exciting young guard who is close to putting it all together in a big way.

Isaiah Joe — signed through 2023, a pure shooter who we all wish saw more playing time.

Looking at this list, a few things stand out. Perhaps most prominent is the Sixers are at risk of losing a lot of size this offseason, something unthinkable just last year. Secondly, 2023 is going to be a big offseason. The latter is a conversation for another time, but the former can be addressed now.

The 2021 Draft has a decent amount of big men projected to go early in the first round. While it is not out of the woods to think Morey might make a move, where they sit currently, Philadelphia could land a decent player.

Assuming no drastic changes, the Sixers should use their first-round pick to find a long-term solution for backing up Joel Embiid. If they do resign Dwight Howard, this becomes less of a priority, but it would be nice to watch the Sixers play Thybulle with the backups and not cringe at the offensive ineptitude the unit can have.

Bigs Sixers should consider in NBA Draft

Day’Ron Sharpe is a 6-foot-11 load from North Carolina. He grabs seemingly every rebound and picks the pocket of countless offensive players. Sharpe does not shoot well from outside but can bang in the paint and score with ease. There is a chance that Sharpe returns to Chapel Hill for another year, however.

I’ve already discussed Kai Jones and his potential downside. But he is an excellent offensive big who needs to improve on the defensive end where, luckily, the Sixers excel and can cover up Jones’s potential flaws.

Jones’ teammate Greg Brown should also be on the Sixers’ radar, and his unmatched athleticism would allow the second unit to fly up and down the court. Pairing Shake and Brown together in a pick-and-roll with guys like Joe and Maxey on the perimeter would be a scary sight for other teams.

Next week I’ll preview some guards the Sixers should keep an eye on as March Madness nears.