Philadelphia 76ers: 8 ways to make the 2019 NBA Finals
By Larry Mendte
6. A project breaks through
The Philadelphia 76ers have high hopes for two summer league projects, 6’7″ shooting guard Furkan Korkmaz and 6’10” power forward Jonah Bolden.
More than any other young prospects, the 76ers are hoping these two players can step in an provide depth to a rotation that desperately needs it.
Korkmaz was selected by the 76ers with the 26th pick in the first round of the 2016 draft. Korkmaz was born in Istanbul and played in the Turkish professional league. He is a pure shooter When he is hot, he has the potential to dominate a game.
Korkmaz became a summer league legend when he scored 40 points, grabbed six rebounds and shot 8-of-14 from 3-point range, all in just 28 minutes.
Bolden was born in Melbourne, Australia (Ben Simmons was born in the Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy). Bolden played professional basketball in Europe after being redshirted by UCLA.
When the 76ers selected him in with the 36th overall pick in the second round of the 2016 NBA Draft, it was considered a steal.
Bolden is not only a proficient rebounder and shot blocker with a 7’3″ wingspan, but he shoot 41 percent from 3-point distance in the EuroLeague.
Bolden played well enough in the NBA Summer League that the 76ers traded popular backup center Richaun Holmes to the Phoenix Suns to make room on the roster for the Australian.
The 76ers two draft-and-stash players who are ready to play significant minutes in the NBA ahead of schedule.
It is possible that 2018 first-round draft picks Zhaire Smith and Landry Shamet may also be ready to contribute next season. But neither seem as far along in their development as the two summer league stars from overseas.