The Sixer Sense
Fansided

A Way-too-early prediction of the Sixers’ 2023-24 starting lineup

By Jonathan Geib

Nov 28, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) dribbles the ball against the Atlanta Hawks during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) dribbles the ball against the Atlanta Hawks during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Power Forward

PJ Tucker signed a 3-year, $33 million contract this past summer during free agency and next year will be year two of the contract. He will enter next season at 38 years old which is ancient for an NBA player, not named LeBron James. Even as a weathered veteran, Tucker still knows how to play a very specific role when called upon.

That role is usually as a 3-and-D player, although the offensive aspect of his game has been relatively nonexistent as of late. Some may say that his contributions do not necessarily show up on the stat sheet and that was never more apparent than Friday night against the Toronto Raptors. Tucker logged 23 minutes and had 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, and 0 blocks. Comically referred to as a “cardio game”, Tucker seems to have gotten his steps in and that is about it.

I still believe Tucker can provide value to this Sixers team though and with him under contract and with the roster currently constructed, it seems inevitable that Tucker will be in the starting lineup next season. Even if he is not scoring on offense, he spaces the floor more than many forwards in the game do which is a perfect complement to Embiid.

Small Forward

Tobias Harris is not necessarily a small forward, but he and PJ Tucker have started alongside each other for the majority of this season in the forward positions. Harris signed a 5-year, $180 million contract four years ago that at the time made him the highest-paid player on a team with two All-Stars in Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. Saying the signing was highly criticized is a severe understatement.

The good news for Sixers fans, and the front office even more so, is that next year is Harris’ last year on this contract. There is the possibility that the Sixers could offload him as part of a trade during next season’s trade deadline, but at this point, I do not really see the need. Maxey’s rookie max extension will not kick in until the 2024-25 season so the Sixers are not strapped for cap space.

This season Harris has fallen into a number four role on offense behind Embiid, Harden, and Maxey which I am sure he is not pleased about, but Maxey has clearly surpassed him as a third fiddle, and rightfully so. Whatever Harris’ long-term future holds, it is expected that he will be in the starting lineup for the Sixers next year.