Tony Wroten's Delayed Return Won't Bode Well For Sixers

As if the Philadelphia 76ers weren’t already faced with enough of a jigsaw puzzle at point guard, a couple instrumental pieces will still be missing to begin the 2015-16 season.

By now, you’re quite likely aware that Tony Wroten, the Sixers’ explosive combo guard, and Kendall Marshall, a free agent floor general acquisition, have been amidst recovery since the beginning of 2015, as both suffered ACL injuries mid-way through last season. The two were once anticipated to debut the season as a part of an intriguing battle for the starting job, but in a fashion Sixers fan have grown far too accustomed to by now, further recovery will prevent both from taking the floor on opening night, and likely much longer for Wroten, per Philly.com:

"“They are a ways away” from playing in games, Sixers coach Brett Brown said after practice Thursday. “I feel like you always get nervous about throwing out dates. I think it would be fair to say that we are not going to see Kendall for the month of October and beyond. I hope not much further beyond.“And Tony [will be sidelined] further along after that, probably not until sometime in December.”"

The news of Marshall remaining out of action until after October isn’t too significant of news, as the Sixers could be without him for as little as 2-5 games, considering the season starts October 28 in Boston. But the expected absence of Wroten should prove to be much more detrimental for a Sixers offense that will likely hover near the bottom of the barrel is scoring yet again this season.

If the words of Brown hold true and Wroten remains sidelined until December, the best-case scenario would suggest the Sixers leading scorer from 2014-15 (16.9 ppg) will miss the first 18 games of the season, and I say best-case scenario because Brown indicated it may be longer.

"“I don’t want to be locked into those time frames, because they could be longer,” Brown said."

If Wroten’s recovery extends into the beginning of January, we’re now looking at 34 games missed with a January 1 debut against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Obviously, this delayed return will affect much more than Wroten alone. As noted, Wroten led Philly in scoring last season prior to his January injury, and proved to be an invaluable weapon for an often-slumping Sixers offense in transition.

This leaves a Sixers point guard rotation that will feature Isaiah Canaan and Marshall (when healthy), which isn’t necessarily a terrible duo, but won’t do too much to ease the defensive focus that will be placed in the paint.

While Canaan’s touch from the perimeter (.370) should aid in stretching the floor and opening space for Okafor and Noel at times, and Marshall’s vision as a floor general will make nearly everyone around him find east buckets, neither demand the defensive focus Wroten does. Neither Canaan nor Marshall are much of a threat to break a defender down off the dribble and beat them to the rim, thus, drawing paint protectors and opening dump-offs to Okafor and Noel.

Of course, this isn’t a long-term issue, considering Wroten should miss less than half of the season, but it certainly won’t help Okafor’s transition to the NBA get any easier, and Noel’s next offensive progression come any smoother with the Sixers most dangerous offensive weapon sidelined.

Next: 25 Best Players to Play for the Philadelphia 76ers

Tony Wroten’s Delayed Return Won’t Bode Well For Philadelphia 76ers Offense

By Cody Daniel | Oct 16, 2015

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