I recently wrote about how the Philadelphia 76ers should consider waiving Paul Millsap if Willie Cauley-Stein does stay on the roster for the rest of the season. Even if Cauley-Stein doesn’t stay with the team, then that leaves the Sixers still have an open roster spot to fill.
Thanks to the inspiration of Michael Ivanoskos of Hardwood Houdini‘s recent article regarding form Boston Celtics’ players that their team should return to the franchise. I’m taking a similar approach in this article as well.
Before getting into the main players that the 76ers should focus on, there are two honorable mentions I’d like to name. Both Jahlil Okafor and Glenn Robinson III haven’t played in the NBA this season. It appears that Okafor is playing overseas in China, per Ky Carlin of Sixer Wire and it doesn’t appear that Robinson III isn’t active in basketball at the moment.
Due to the fact that neither played a single NBA minute this regular season and weren’t on a regular season roster is the reason why they were left off this list. With that being written, there are four form players that should be considered
4 former Sixers that need to return: Michael Carter-Williams
Michael Carter-Williams (MCW) was once the face of hope for the Philadelphia 76ers fan base in the early on in a rebuild deemed “The Process”. Carter-Williams was dubbed Rookie of the Year for the 2013-14 season.
For the Sixers, MCW averaged 16.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.7 assists. Those are pretty solid stats on the surface, but former general manager Sam Hinkie decided to trade MCW to the Milwaukee Bucks for a first round pick that originally became Mikal Bridges before he was traded on draft night for Zhaire Smith in 2018.
Since being traded from the Sixers, MCW hasn’t lived up to his Rookie of the Year status. For the past three and a half seasons, MCW had found a home with the Orlando Magic as a defensive stopper. However, due to injury he hasn’t played a single game this season and was waived at the trade deadline so that the Magic could make room for their new incoming players.
MCW could return to Philly as a defensive ace who can occasionally be a playmaker in the second unit. It’s true that he won’t be able to help with the Sixers’ floor spacing, but he’s a great defender and a solid playmaker, which is something the 76ers need deep on their bench.