Sixers now have big shoes to fill in the absence of Kelly Oubre Jr.
What is still to be determined
Pertaining to the circumstances the Sixers find themselves in now, 3 primary questions may be answered in the coming days, weeks, or even months.
1. Who joins the starting lineup?
In the absence of Kelly Oubre, Coach Nurse will be tweaking the starting lineup yet again. Sunday night against the Indiana Pacers, we saw Nicolas Batum inserted into the starting lineup where he played 33 minutes. Will that be the case until Oubre is healthy and returns? That is still to be determined. Of all the possibilities, Nicolas Batum, Robert Covington, and even Marcus Morris Sr. seem to be the most likely candidates.
2. Who will solidify themselves as part of the 76ers long-term rotation?
As there has been for quite some time in Philadelphia, there is talk of the team pursuing another star player to team up with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Of course, in order to bring in a star player, draft assets and players on the current team would have to be dealt with as part of the trade package.
Is it possible one or two of the Sixers role players take advantage of the minutes they are given and cement themselves as part of this team’s future playoff roster? For guys like Batum, Covington, and Morris, the opportunity is there. What remains to be determined is who will step up and build the case for their services remaining in Philadelphia.
3. When will Kelly Oubre Jr. return?
The circumstances that have caused Oubre to be sidelined are unfortunate. Many in the NBA community offered their thoughts and prayers via social media in support of the 27-year-old Oubre who was struck by a motor vehicle in Philadelphia on Saturday night. Thankfully, Oubre was released from the hospital the same night. While there is no timetable for his return, the team’s medical staff will work with Oubre to get him back on the court at the appropriate time.
