Philadelphia 76ers: Ranking the value of each current player

By Derek Hryn | Aug 24, 2018

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 7: Dario Saric #9, Joel Embiid #21, and Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Second Round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 7, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Celtics 103-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

2. Ben Simmons

Ben Simmons will look to trounce his successful first season with an even better one this time around. He is currently one of the preseason locks in the Eastern Conference to be selected as an NBA All-Star in 2018-19.

His majestic playmaking ability took the league by storm last year. In 81 games, Simmons averaged 15.8 points, 8.2 assists and 8.1 rebounds per game, leading the Sixers to a 52-30 regular season record. He also recorded 12 triple-doubles, passing Magic Johnson for the second-most in NBA history by a rookie and trailing only Oscar Robertson.

Though Simmons’ ability to thread the needle at the point guard position is unheard of, he still needs to find other ways to effect the course of a game. At 6’10”, he still needs to stay ahead of his development and mend his shooting ability before defenses begin to catch on to his craft. The NBA is a shooting league first, and a passing league second.

For now, he will continue as the star floor general for this team’s talented roster.