An Updated Look At The Philadelphia 76ers Point Guard Situation

The point guard position for the Philadelphia 76ers this season has served as a carousel of opportunities and uncertainty.

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Philadlephia’s roster has featured a packed handful of floor generals this season, highlighted the Sixers’ former Rookie of the Year, Michael Carter-Williams, who was dealt to Milwaukee just prior to the NBA trade deadline.

Tony Wroten, JaKarr Sampson and Luc Mbah a Moute have also seen time running the show for Brett Brown. With the inevitable fact that this number is continually on its way up, the Sixers, for the first time this season, actually have some true point guard depth, regardless of the quality of talent available.

Isaiah Canaan, a second-year point guard that came along from Houston in the K.J. McDaniels exchange, looks to be the de-facto starting point guard for the Sixers for the near future. Canaan began his Sixers’ tenure as a starter and put on a show from deep, hitting 4-9 long-range looks in route to a 14-point debut. His 29 minutes also included four rebounds, three assists and a block.

The Canaan! https://t.co/sWLh55RBc4
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 22, 2015

Philly’s offense, which is dead last in the NBA in scoring at 89.9 per, will need to find someone to step up and replace MCW’s 15 point per game efforts. Of the available options, Canaan is the most proven scorer –averaging 6.2 ppg this season – and between his noticeable confidence as a shooter and ability to put up points in bunches, he should have a secure spot as the Sixers’ starting point guard for the remainder of the season.

Tim Frazier is the other Sixers’ point guard with some experience running the show this season. He’s now amidst his second 10-day contract in Philadelphia, and has played well enough to garner some consideration from Sam Hinkie and his staff to bring him back for the remainder of the season once his final 10-day contract concludes.

During his first 10-day audition, Frazier started two of his three games with Philly, compiling averages of five points, 8.6 assists and 4.6 rebounds. His 26 total assists during his first three games serves as the seventh most of any NBA player during their first three career games dating back to 1985-86, according to NBA.com. His most recent two games for Philadelphia has provided 19 points on 7-of-15 shooting from the field, 12 assists and five boards.

Between Canaan’s touch from the perimeter and Frazier’s jerky ball handling and facilitation ability, the Sixers should be set with a competitive rotation of point guards to carry them through Philly’s final 27 games.

Additionally, former Oklahoma City point guard Ish Smith was claimed by the 76ers Sunday.

The Sixers have claimed G Ish Smith off waivers, a league source told @Cleveland.com.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 22, 2015

Smith was waived by the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday after being acquired as part of a trade deadline swap with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Sixers become the ninth NBA team that Smith has had a cup of tea with.

He’s compiled career outputs of 2.7 points on 38 percent shooting, along with 1.9 assists and 1.4 rebounds per game. Although he should get some opportunities to prove his worth, Smith will likely struggle to find minutes while Canaan and Frazier are both active.

Derek Bodner of LibertyBallers.com summed up some of the limited abilities Smith has put on display thus far in his career:

"“Smith, who measured 5’11” without shoes at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament in 2010, has always struggled with his outside shot, shooting only 30.1 percent from three point range in college. His calling card has been his speed and quickness, which allows him to play pressure defense despite his short height, and also forms the basis of his ability as a shot creator and a passer.”"

As you can see, Philadelphia doesn’t exactly have the most appealing options to choose from at this point in the season, but they finally – for the time being, at least – have some depth, which brings different dimensions and potential lineups. Now the only question for the Sixers is…how long will these guys hang around?

In related news, the 76ers have waived forward Malcolm Thomas to make room for Smith.

Next: NBA: 50 Greatest Players Of All Time

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