Philadelphia 76ers: Reacting to 2019 NBA free agency

The fallout

Every move can be analyzed in a vacuum, but it’s more reasonable to look at the entire picture. With the 76ers’ lineup, that picture is quite large.

After all the dust settles, Philly will deploy a lineup of Ben Simmons (6’10”), Josh Richardson (6’6″) Tobias Harris (6’8″), Al Horford (6’10”), and Joel Embiid (7’2″). That’s massive.

The defensive potential is what should have fans salivating. The starting five can all defend capably or better, and the main options off the bench (Mike Scott, Zhaire Smith, Matisse Thybulle) are all good defenders as well.

Oh, and that problem the 76ers had defending opposing point guards last year? Say hello to Richardson, who will do that just fine. With less of an offensive workload, he can exert more energy on the point-preventing end and contain the Kyries and Kembas of the world.

All five starters can also create offense off the dribble, and will be matchup nightmares across the positional spectrum.

The fits are pretty damn good as well. At all times the Sixers will have an elite center on the floor, as Horford will play as Embiid’s backup. In those minutes sans Embiid, Simmons will get run with a stretch-5 and two-way wings, which is an ideal setup around him.

Harris will fit in essentially any lineup, so long as his shooting sticks around (which a multi-year sample of field goal attempts says it will). Simmons and Embiid need shooting around them, which Harris will provide better than he did last season.

Richardson is a solid catch-and-shoot weapon, and will probably up his efficiency in a more specialized role. He never should have been the main guy in Miami, and he’ll rarely have to do that for the 76ers. But if necessary, he can fill several roles with his tool bag of shooting, defending, cutting and passing. Richardson is an excellent fit as the fourth or fifth option.

The current roster construction gives Simmons a lot of runway to prove he’s worth the reported max contract extension being negotiated. Having accomplished so much to-date without a jump shot is evidence he’s worth the extension, but his shortcomings the past two postseasons can’t be overlooked.

He has all the opportunity in the world to prove he can commandeer an elite offense, now that Elton Brand has acquired wings and a true stretch-5 for him. This season was already going to be crucial for him, but now there are no excuses for him to stagnate.

After watching the Toronto Raptors synthesize an ideal roster around Kawhi Leonard, it’s not difficult to see what the Sixers envision. Not only are they balanced, but everyone plays a role and can best cater to their strengths now. No more Simmons in the dunker’s spot; no more half-assed center rotation; no more Harris vanishing for several minutes in a row.

Simmons and Embiid were always a clunky fit, but Harris is pretty close to the ideal bridge between them. His threat on and off the ball opens up all sorts of pick plays with both towers, something Sixers fans haven’t seen much of recently. If Embiid can turn a few of those isos into roll plays…watch out.

Overall, it’s really hard to dislike the team’s moves. The pivot from Butler to Richardson and Horford was excellent and will pay huge dividends. In addition, there is lots of room for Thybulle, Smith and Shake Milton to lead the second unit. Brett Brown can’t afford to not play them through their rough patches, even with James Ennis returning and Kyle O’Quinn joining.

Considering the hand the Sixers were dealt, it’s clear they did their homework leading up to June 30. It’s difficult to criticize anything they did, because this starting five truly competes with the NBA’s elite.

Overall grade: A-