The Philadelphia 76ers are a team looking to win the Eastern Conference with LeBron James gone. Here’s a look at his fit with the team for 2018-19.
The Philadelphia 76ers had a historic season in 2017-18, making their first postseason since 2012. Now, with some of their key assets moving on, they’ve managed to sign Nemanja Bjelica, a former Minnesota Timberwolves prospect, to a one-year deal.
The departures of sharpshooters Marco Belinelli (San Antonio Spurs) and Ersan Ilyasova (Milwaukee Bucks) have left a hole in the Sixers’ depth, but acquiring Bjelica has its rewards.
Bjelica is entering his fourth season in the NBA since being drafted in the 2010 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards. He’s found playing time has come at a minimum, averaging 18.9 minutes per game across three seasons. He did see a rise in his usage in 2017-18, though. The 6’10” big man averaged 20.5 minutes per game and starting in a career-high 21 contests.
As he enters veteran status in the league, Bjelica has an opportunity to create a new beginning for himself. When given the opportunity, he made waves with Minnesota. Now, he’ll have a similar opportunity with the Philadelphia 76ers, as he’ll add 3-point shooting and floor-spacing off the bench. Here’s a look at his fit with the Sixers in 2018-19.