Many expect a lot of turnover this summer for the Philadelphia 76ers. This was already supposed to a summer of roster movement, but with the resignation of Sam Hinkie and the hiring of Bryan Colangelo, this summer has become even more unpredictable. The Sixers will have almost 60 million dollars in cap space and as many as four first round draft picks. This means a lot of players will be moving in or out of the roster so I thought it would be an interesting time to project the roster at the start of next season. First, we need to set some ground rules. In this projection, the NBA’s draft lottery does not exist and therefore the Sixers will have the number one overall pick but the Lakers pick will not convey. Secondly, the team has to fit under the projected salary cap of 92 million dollars. I am not an expert in NBA salary cap mechanics but the team will have to be fiscally possible under the NBA salary cap. With all that in mind, let’s get started.
Point guard
Jeremy Lin (FA; 2 year deal worth 20 million dollars)
Lin has really evolved as a player since his days in New York and even Houston. He has become an integral piece on a really good Charlotte team but can be a free agent after this year. Lin would fit really well with the Sixers as an upgrade over Ish Smith. Lin is a really effective player in pick and roll as well as being a far better shooter than Ish. The Sixers could use Lin’s ability to score and create for other. Lin isn’t a great defender but he isn’t necessarily a terrible one either. I think a deal in the range of 10 million dollars a year would be fair market value for Lin and probably enough to get it done. Lin could be a really effective stop gap (either starting or coming off the bench as he has in Charlotte) for the Sixers while they continue to figure out that position long term.
Jordan Clarkson (FA; Max Contract)
This one might be a slight long shot as the Lakers really value Clarkson. Clarkson’s personal life may also be a reason for him to stay in Los Angeles. Still, I think the Sixers have a shot at Clarkson. I am not convinced that the Lakers will want to pay Clarkson the 21 million dollar contract that could come his way this offseason. They already have a lot invested in D’Angelo Russell and they also have big plans in free agency. If the Sixers act early, they can get Clarkson by forcing the Lakers to make a decision on matching before they even get meetings with some of the top free agents on the market. The Lakers may value the flexibility (both short term and long term) to chase free agents over Clarkson. Having Clarkson with Lin would not be redundant because Clarkson has the size to play both guard spots. Also, injuries will invariably happen. We have seen the Sixers carry a decent amount of point guard only to have the position marred by injuries. This is a team that has been forced to Jakarr Sampson and Hollis Thompson at point guard. I do not think they will be worried about having too many good guards. Clarkson will provide defense and the ability to run the offense. The Sixers will bet on the fact that he can continue to grow as a shooter and a playmaker.
TJ McConnell (Returning Player; Unguaranteed $874,636 salary)
TJ is a pretty solid backup point guard on a really team friendly contract. He played really well over the second half of the season as a back up to Ish Smith. TJ can run the offense to an acceptable level and doesn’t get destroyed on defense. I think it would be foolish to move on from a solid player on such a good deal in favor of overpaying a veteran to be the back-up.
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Shooting Guard
Evan Fournier (FA; 3 year deal worth 60 million dollars)
In this scenario, the Sixers would be paying Fournier just under the max for a player of his age. Fournier will be a restricted free agent for the Orlando Magic, but I think the Sixers will have a pretty decent chance to pry him away from Orlando. The Magic have a lot of young players to pay in the coming years and they will struggle to afford all of them so, with a slight overpay, the Sixers will have a chance. Fournier is a really skilled shooting guard. He shot 40% from deep this year. Fournier also has some ability as a playmaker. He is a good passer and has the ballhandling ability to successfully probe the defense or run a pick and roll. Fournier might not be an elite shooting guard, but he is a good young player that the Sixers have a legitimate chance at getting. The Sixers could target Fournier on a 3 year deal over his market value to fill a need for now. They could see how he fits with the team and they could always trade him down the line if the backcourt becomes too crowded.
Timothe Luwawu (1st Round Pick; $1,773,200 salary based on the rookie scale)
You may be wondering how the Sixers have acquired Luwawu in this exercise. He is certainly not expected to fall into the mid 20s so the Sixers will have to move up to get the Frenchman. I predict that the Sixers will trade up to the number 13 pick in order to grab Luwawu. The team will give up the Heat pick, the OKC pick, Richaun Holmes, and a second round pick from the Knicks in 2018. I think this should be enough to move up to get Luwawu, who will have slipped in the draft due to concerns about his level of competition. Luwawu has the potential to be a solid two-way wing. I think the Sixers will have decent wing depth in 2016, which would allow them to bring Luwawu along slowly. They could have Luwawu split time in Philadelphia and Delaware in order to get him the most minutes possible.
Nik Stauskas (Returning Player; $2,993,040 salary based on the rookie scale)
It’s fairly obvious that the Sixers will bring Stauskas back. He didn’t have a great season but he is a fine young prospect on a great rookie scale contract. Stauskas can really shoot. He is especially dangerous when he is confident. This is true of most shooters, but especially Nik. Stauskas gets frazzled very easily and tends to get down on himself quickly, which leads to prolonged periods of hesitation and poor shooting. Stauskas needs to become more consistent and get a lot stronger to become an impact player in this league but he could have a bright future ahead of him and the Sixers would be foolish to move on from him.
Hollis Thompson (Returning Player; $1,015,696 team option)
Hollis Thompson gets the last spot on the roster. He is a good shooter and decent defender on a really cheap contract. The Sixers could easily move on from Thompson, so he might not be long for the course. They might prefer to sign a young free agent to a minimum contract or acquire a second round pick and use this spot on him. If a player like Dejounte Murray or Deandre Bembry fell into the second round then I would prefer them to Thompson, but I don’t think a player of that caliber will fall. Thompson is a solid option off the bench who will be paid a favorable salary from the Sixers perspective. They should keep him.
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Small Forward
Brandon Ingram (1st Round Pick; $4,753,000 salary based on the rookie scale)
If the Sixers get the number one pick, I think Ingram should be the guy. He is the number one player on my big board. He fits into the team really well and is an extremely valuable player. Ingram could play heavy minutes next season for the Sixers in the upcoming season. However, they have enough players that he won’t be forced to play too many minutes as he grows into his body and learns about the NBA. Sixers fans should be really excited if their team picks Brandon Ingram.
Robert Covington (Returning Player; $1,015,696 salary)
This is a no-brainer for the Sixers. Covington has been a diamond in the rough for the Sixers. He is on a ridiculously cheap contract for a player of his skillset. Covington is a deadly shooter from distance as well as a capable defender who can play both forward positions. Covington needs to improve his ballhandling if he ever wants to become more than a standstill shooter. He also needs to give more consistent effort. He is usually good for a solid effort but there are games where Covington just doesn’t bring it on the defensive end and that’s a problem. Still, the Sixers should be happy to have Covington on such a great contract.
Allen Crabbe (FA; Mid-Level Exception)
Crabbe will be a restricted free agent once the Blazers season is over. In this past season, he has really shown his ability to play both wing spots. Crabbe is the perfect 3-and-D role player who I think the Sixers could use their mid-level exception (about 8 million dollars). That might not be enough to get it done, but it could be. Crabbe would be a really good addition to the Sixers to add depth and talent to the rotation.
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Power Forward
Nerlens Noel (Returning Player; $4,384,490 salary based on the rookie scale)
It’s no guarantee that Nerlens Noel will be back in Philadelphia next season considering the logjam at the center position. Still, I don’t think the Sixers will move on from him this offseason. I just don’t know what they could get in return for him. Maybe if they fall in the lottery, they could use him to move up into the top 2 to get Brandon Ingram. But in this scenario, that’s not necessary so I think the Sixers keep Noel for another season and hope for improvement from the talented big man.
Jerami Grant (Returning Player; Unguaranteed $980,431 salary)
Jerami Grant will be back with the Sixers next year. He had a really solid season. He improved as a shot blocker and an offensive player this year despite struggling as a shooter. Jerami shot better as the season went on and he could become a very solid player if that development continues. Even if it’s not probable that Grant will greatly improve as a shooter, Grant’s salary and other skills make it a smart gamble.
Dario Saric (1st Round Pick; $1,866,500 salary based on the rookie scale)
Everything points to Dario Saric coming over next year. He has said it himself and even told his teammates. Saric is a really talented forward who could help the Sixers next year. He is incredibly skilled as a passer and he has become a good shooter. His offensive ability and playmaking will help the team while he is on a bargain of a contract.
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Center
Jahlil Okafor (Returning Player; $4,788,840 salary based on the rookie scale)
Okafor had a really up and down rookie year. He showed his scoring ability but also showed his defensive deficiency. I think Okafor really does not fit well on this team at all, but he is really talented. For this reason, I don’t think the Sixers can move on from Okafor unless they get a great offer. With Okafor’s injury, his trade value is probably at an all-time low so I can’t really see the Sixers moving on from him and his rookie scale contract quite yet.
Joel Embiid (Returning Player; $4,826,160 salary based on the rookie scale)
Lastly, we have Joel Embiid, who has been hurt for two straight years. Embiid has not played a game since being drafted by the Sixers in 2014. It would not make any sense to move on from Embiid because you will not get anything in return for him in a trade. Embiid has so much talent that you cannot just move on from him for nothing or little value. It’s better to just hold on to Joel and just hope that he can get healthy. If he ever gets healthy for a sustained period of time, it will all be worth it.
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