Evaluating the Sixers' Offseason Needs

Between the draft, free agency and evaluating the health of injured players, the Sixers have a lengthy to-do list for their roster this offseason.

Shooters are atop the Sixers' biggest gaps to fill. They will also look to address veterans and versatile players who can stretch the floor.

"We've got a lot of needs," president of basketball operations Bryan Colangelo said. "We're far from being a complete team right now."

The Sixers will have a better idea of how to approach the offseason once the ping pong balls fall in the Draft Lottery on May 16. At that time, they will find out if they are going to receive the Lakers' top-three protected pick. They also have the rights to pick swap with the Kings.

Let's go around the floor to see where the Sixers have holes and where they already have pieces for next season.

Point guard
The Sixers' point guard plans were thrown out the window when both Jerryd Bayless and Ben Simmons were sidelined during training camp. These injuries, including one of Sergio Rodriguez in late December, created the opportunity for T.J. McConnell to claim the starting role.

"T.J. McConnell has basically established himself as an NBA basketball player," Colangelo said. "I wasn't sure I could say that last year coming into this situation. But he's got now two seasons where he played 1,500-plus minutes and he's established himself as a factor.

"He certainly represents everything that this organization represents and this city represents in terms of grit and tenacity and that fierceness that we're looking for. I know that he's got a big summer plan on skill development. How far can he take his game? I think he can take it much further with the improvement of his shot."

The Sixers plan to start the 6-foot-10 Simmons at point guard next season. Brett Brown is dedicated to trying this untraditional role given Simmons' ball handling, size, athleticism, and court vision.

"The question about whether or not Ben Simmons is a point guard or not, that will play itself out over time," Colangelo said. "But I don't think there's going to be a quick answer there. I know there's a commitment by the staff to make that happen."

Shooting guard
The two guard was the least defined starting role this season. Gerald Henderson, Nik Stauskas and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot all got starts at the position.

"We had a young player in Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot who came on and really established himself as a factor," Colangelo said. "Nik Stauskas has improved and established himself at a higher level of consideration in terms of the overall plan."

The usage of Simmons at point guard trickles over to shooting guard. Because Bayless is a combo guard, he could play the two when sharing the court with Simmons. Colangelo grouped Bayless in with his assessment of the Sixers' wing players.

"He's like a free agent signing that's already happened," Colangelo said of Bayless. "We're just waiting for him to get healthy and it looks like that's well on its way. A maniacal worker, he's in the gym every day."

Small forward
The Sixers were thin at the three spot. Robert Covington assumed the starting role until he was sidelined for the season, at which point Justin Anderson took over. The Sixers could add young talent to the small forward position through the draft.

"At the three, Robert Covington kind of has that position locked up with not a lot of depth at the position currently," Colangelo said. "But we've got some interesting draft prospects in the top 10 that happen to address that situation and that need."

Covington is entering the final year of his contract next season. The Sixers have a team option on his deal.  Colangelo noted he could not discuss upcoming free agency, including players currently on the Sixers.  

"Robert Covington is a valued piece of this organization," he said. "He's really evolved into a player that we want to make part of this organization on a longer-term basis. He deserves a lot of credit for what he has done as a young player committed to getting better. He has become a really solid, established player at that three-and-D wing position."

Power forward
Dario Saric excelled in the starting power forward role following the trade of Ersan Ilyasova to the Hawks. Saric immensely benefited from playing behind the veteran off the bench, and was ready to step into the starting lineup after a few months as a reserve.

"Dario Saric has clearly established himself in just one season that he is an extremely viable NBA player," Colangelo said. "He's making a nod for himself to be that locked in starter at the four for many years to come."

The Sixers will look to add to the four spot, whether it is a back up to the Rookie of the Year candidate or finding someone who can spread the floor to possibly start ahead of him.

"I think the stretch four position is something, backing up Dario or starting in front of Dario, whichever it is if we can find someone that's better," Colangelo said. "We've got to probably address that four position. If you look at the depth chart, you've got boxes on different places, there's boxes in different places. That's one area where there's a box."

Center
The starting center role is the most clearly defined and belongs to Joel Embiid. The Sixers will have to sort out the backup situation. Richaun Holmes has made a strong case for himself.

Jahlil Okafor's place on the team, and if he will be on the team, is in question. Colangelo reiterated his openness to trading Okafor if there is a right fit for both the Sixers and Okafor (see story).

"He is a game-changer," Colangelo said of Embiid. "He is an All-Star level talent. He is one of the foundational pieces that we look to build with and around. There's no doubt. So knowing that now, it's pretty easy to see him in that role.

"Whether or not he's able to sustain that health, that's the biggest unknown and that remains. But we've obviously got a pretty big plan ahead that encompasses a number of things, but it certainly entails building with and around Joel."