The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Preseason predictions about former 76ers players in 2023-24

By Lucas Johnson

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: A detailed view of the Philadelphia 76ers logo prior to the game against the Utah Jazz at the Wells Fargo Center on November 13, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: A detailed view of the Philadelphia 76ers logo prior to the game against the Utah Jazz at the Wells Fargo Center on November 13, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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The 2023 NBA training camp is just around the corner and there are still plenty of questions surrounding the Philadelphia 76ers that just can’t be answered now. Instead of focusing on what isn’t known, focusing on what is known is probably best for the fan base’s mental health.

I wrote an article four years ago about former 76ers still in the NBA, and this article has a similar premise with a focus on what their roles/seasons should look like. To be clear, only players who have played at least one game with Philly and are currently on an NBA roster will be included on this list. With that being written, let’s look at the 32 Sixers alumni.

Preseason predictions about former Philadelphia 76ers players: Exhibit 10, two-way players, and End of the Bench players

Last season the Sixers had the Slam Dunk Champion Mac McClung on a two-way contract. The high-flying guard has joined the Orlando Magic on an Exhibit 10 deal, Per Jason Beede of Orlando Sports. Even if he doesn’t make their roster, their G-League team the Osceola Magic would have his G-League Rights so it ends his time with the Sixers. More likely than not McClung will play for the Magic in the G-League this season but hopefully he will defend his Slam Dunk title.

Reigning NBA Champions Denver Nuggets have forward Braxton Key on a two-way contract. Key played for Philly on a 10-day deal two years ago. Key is a defensive play and probably won’t see much NBA action this year with the contending Nuggets.

The Phoenix Suns don’t have a lot of true point guard depth on the roster, so having Saben Lee on a two-way contract is more important than most two-way deals in the NBA. The 76ers had Lee on a two-way deal last season before waiving him. Phoenix might use him at times this season based on the health of their overall guard depth and the fact he’s one of two true point guards on the roster.

It feels like forever ago when JaValee McGee played his six games with Philly back in the 2014-15 season. Since leaving Philly, McGee has become a respected veteran and has won three NBA championships. The veteran center was waived by the Dallas Mavericks and signed by the Sacramento Kings this offseason. He’ll probably be the third-string center with Domantas Sabonis and Alex Len ahead of him on the depth chart.

The Toronto Raptors seem closer to a rebuild than contending for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference which means veteran Thaddeus Young won’t receive as many minutes this season as he did the last season and half. The 35-year-old forward started his career with the Sixers from 2007 to 2014

The rebuilding Washington Wizards landed stretch big man Mike Muscala in a trade with the Boston Celtics where Kristaps Porzingas went to Boston. Muscala will likely be a veteran mentor for a young Washington team. Muscala was stretch big for Philly during the 2018-19 season before being a part of the Tobias Harris trade.

Adding DeAndre Jordan was one of the bigger mistakes that Sixers president of basketball operations Darryl Morey has made during his tenure. However, Jordan has found a home with the Nuggets where he’s a veteran presence and was able to win an NBA title last season.

Sixers fans should be happy that 7-foot-3 center Boban Marjonavic was able to re-sign with the Houston Rockets this past season. The former fan favorite from the 2018-19 season remains a veteran leader for the young Houston Rockets team.