May 09, 2017
Now only a week away from the NBA Draft Lottery, I realize that I haven’t done a Sixers mailbag in a long time. Let’s change that today and try to hit these questions as quickly as possible. As always, thanks to everyone who submitted a question.
@rich_hofmann What would be your ideal starting 5 this season and first 3 off the bench?
— Matthew Satullo (@MSatullo) May 9, 2017
With the lottery still yet to happen, I’ll go: Markelle Fultz, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Robert Covington, Ben Simmons, and Joel Embiid in the starting lineup and Dario Saric, Jonathan Isaac, and Richaun Holmes off the bench.
I’m all for some veteran leadership, but the Sixers might simply have too many young dudes who deserve to play.
@rich_hofmann Since it's that time of year. Would you rather have pick 2 or pick 4 & 5?
— Dave (@eaglesdiehard) May 9, 2017
That one isn’t as clear-cut as 1 and 4/5. Still, give me two, Utah.
@rich_hofmann Frank, TLC, Cov, Ben, Joel...enough shooting?
— Jim Regan (@jamesregan1) May 9, 2017
My initial answer would be no, but that might not matter as much when the opponent is averaging 83 points per game. If JoJo is healthy, there aren’t a lot of combinations that won’t work.
@rich_hofmann Who are some under-the-radar (i.e. not big name/splash names) FA's who might be really good fits for the Sixers?
— Andy Schreiber (@andy_schreiber) May 9, 2017
That’s the thing about how informed Sixers and just general NBA fans are today. When I give people Joe Ingles and Patty Mills as “under-the-radar” free-agent targets that could fit well, everyone already very much has those guys on their radar.
But yeah, I’ll say the Aussies who make threes as sort of cheaper options that could be good fits.
@rich_hofmann What are the best ways we can utilize our cap space this summer? Aggressively pursuing RFAs, maxing a guy, taking on contracts for picks,etc
— Marty Teller (@mwteller) May 9, 2017
This will be interesting to see play out: What is the “right free agent” that Bryan Colangelo was talking about last month? The Sixers already have Jerryd Bayless on the books at $9 million per for a couple of years, so do they want to add additional long-term money to more “non-star” players?
My guess is that the Sixers are out of the “taking contracts for picks” business, considering that they should want to utilize their cap space at some point before the team starts becoming expensive in a few years.
@rich_hofmann if the sixers end up drafting two guards in this draft, where does the playing time for TLC/Korkmaz go, considering TJ, Sauce, and Bayless
— Asher Dark (@asher_dark) May 9, 2017
As impressive as T.J. has been the past few years, TLC should get playing time over him, especially with Ben Simmons in the fold. The same goes for Sauce.
It would be intriguing to see how Brett Brown handled a situation of TLC vs. Bayless considering that the team made a decent commitment to the latter in free agency. I think TLC showed enough potential this year that he should be getting at least some minutes regardless of what happens in the draft. I like his skill set, but he needs more seasoning.
If Korkmaz comes over too, well, we’ll get to that when it happens.
@rich_hofmann What are the odds that BC gives out a huge (25m+) contract this summer?
— D Talone (@senortalone) May 9, 2017
Let’s get these exact calculations right…… 23 percent.
@rich_hofmann With the Sixers reported interest in PG/Butler, could you see BC making a play for DeRozan? If Lowry leaves I could see TOR blowing it up
— Luke Lyons (@ljlyons) May 9, 2017
As someone who can appreciate DeMar DeRozan fitting his old-school game into the modern NBA, I would hope Colangelo sees that the ball dominant wing who can’t shoot won’t exactly fit with this group.
@rich_hofmann If Lakers pick doesn't convey, would you trade up & who would be a target in early-mid 20s by trading some 2nd round picks to get up there?
— John Wilchek (@jwiltrey) May 9, 2017
Sure, consolidating all of those second-round picks seems like a worthwhile strategy regardless of what happens at the top of the draft. Jawun Evans and Harry Giles (just for the potential and the terrible “The Sixers drafted another injured guy!” jokes) are a couple of guys who I wouldn’t mind taking fliers on.
@rich_hofmann What's the pick strategy after a Sixers doomsday scenario in the lottery?
— Patrick Ward (@pmward7) May 9, 2017
Just pick the best players! There will be prospects like Jonathan Isaac and Frank Ntilikina available who would fit what the Sixers are doing really well.
As much as the Lakers pick and draft lottery matter and will make everyone nervous, I really think the downside here is a lot easier to swallow than the prospect of picking Ben Simmons vs. Kris Dunn.
@rich_hofmann Rich is there any possible question that hasn't been asked about the Sixers yet ?
— BEETLE (@beetlebayley219) May 9, 2017
That's my Sixers question lol
OK, I believe we have in fact reached the limit. Good work everyone.
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