Go big or go home: 76ers pursue title dreams by bucking small-ball trend
By Phil Watson
2019-20 roster
Key additions: Matisse Thybulle (draft/trade), Josh Richardson (trade), Al Horford (free agent), Kyle O’Quinn (free agent), Raul Neto (free agent), Trey Burke (free agent)
Key subtractions: Boban Marjanovic (free agent), Greg Monroe (free agent), J.J. Redick (free agent), T.J. McConnell (free agent), Amir Johnson (free agent), Jimmy Butler (sign-and-trade)
The Philadelphia 76ers had an eventful summer, re-signing Tobias Harris to a max deal, getting the top pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, Ben Simmons, signed to a max extension very early in the window to do so and set about trying to improve the club’s depth after the 76ers spent most of 2018-19 relying heavily on the starting five.
Only the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets used their reserves less than Philadelphia’s average of 16.8 minutes per game last season and the 76ers ranked 27th in the NBA with 31.7 points per game from the backups.
Gone from last year’s bench is Boban Marjanovic, who gave the Sixers some solid backup minutes in the middle after coming over with Harris from the LA Clippers in a deadline trade. Marjanovic got a free-agent deal from the Dallas Mavericks. Fan favorite T.J. McConnell signed with the Indiana Pacers, while Amir Johnson (and his phone presumably) are still unsigned.
The 76ers did bring back Mike Scott and James Ennis, two veterans who gave them solid minutes as late-season additions a season ago, as well as young wing Furkan Korkmaz, who signed a deal with Fenerbahce to return to his native Turkey before changing his mind and re-upping with Philly.
The 76ers have also added veterans Raul Neto, Kyle O’Quinn and Trey Burke to the second unit, with some promising young players in Zhaire Smith, Jonah Bolden and Shake Milton looking to progress up the rotation as well.
Philadelphia signed second-round pick Marial Shayok and G-League veteran Norvel Pelle to two-way deals.