Philadelphia 76ers: Former players that would have helped this team, Part 1

Landry Shamet

Landry Shamet is the best value pick the team has made in years. A late first-round pick, Shamet was stellar in 54 games with the Sixers prior to being dealt to the LA Clippers last season. He averaged 8.3 points per game on 40.4 percent shooting from deep, and showed major upside as a starting two-guard – effortlessly knocking down jumpers in transition.

The Sixers’ front office has made many head-scratching personnel decisions, but this one was tough to foresee. Frankly, who could, or even want to look ahead to the future when you have a lineup of four star players?

Still, the team has certainly not looked the same without a pure sharpshooter paired in the backcourt with Simmons – proven to be at his best with someone who plays successfully off the ball. The fact that the Sixers are having a more disappointing season than a year ago, and have a worse offensive rating isn’t a coincidence.

Are the Sixers perhaps regretting trading the young gem they found in Shamet, ultimately giving Tobias Harris one of the richest contracts in the NBA? Until the season finally plays itself out, it’s not entirely fair to answer that, but it cannot be denied that there would be a drastic improvement to the flow of the offense if Shamet was still around.

Milton is the only current Sixers shooting guard that has averaged over 40 percent 3-point shooting since Shamet left the building. That was, of course, before adding Broekhoff – a 39.2 percent shooter this season, and 40.3 percent for his career. Though Orlando is going to be a much different environment for even the most aggressive scorers, there’s still time to amend, what basketball casuals consider, yet another crucial mistake made by the organization.