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Philadelphia 76ers: 3 bold predictions for 2018-19 NBA season

BySimon Smith|
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball during the game against the Miami Heat in game two of round one of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ben Simmons
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 16: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball during the game against the Miami Heat in game two of round one of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 16, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ben Simmons
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(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

With a roster filled with limitless potential, here are three bold predictions for the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2018-19 NBA season.

The sky truly is the limit for the Philadelphia 76ers.

After raising their win total from 28 to 52 in the space of one season, just how far they can ascend in the 2018-19 season is certainly one of the more fascinating subplots to follow around the league.

Led by All-Star Joel Embiid reigning Rookie of the Year Ben Simmons, the Sixers fielded the most potent starting lineup in the league, with the quintet of Embiid, Simmons, Robert Covington, JJ Redick and Dario Saric producing a 21.4 net rating over the course of the regular season.

However, it was the midseason additions of Marco Belinelli and Ersan Ilyasova that truly catapulted the Sixers to another level, eventually winning their final 16 games of the season. Unfortunately, this veteran duo departed in the free agency period, leaving a gaping hole to fill.

Without a doubt, the Sixers will be hoping to fill this gap with the return to full health and confidence of 2017 No. 1 overall pick Markelle Fultz.

After playing just 18 games in his debut season, Fultz’s progress this season is of great importance on a number of levels, with his game-changing shot creation and athleticism providing the Sixers something they’ve particularly lacked in recent years.

So for a variety of reasons, the Sixers upcoming season should be an exhilarating story to follow.

With this in mind, here are three bold predictions for the 2018-19 season.