Philadelphia 76ers: Former players who could help this team, Part 2

2. Richaun Holmes

To continue harping on athleticism and rim protection, we’d be remiss if Richaun Holmes was snubbed from the conversation.

The 37th overall pick in the 2015 draft, Holmes earnestly cracked into the Sixers’ rotation outside of the scope of the media.

In short, he would’ve blended ideally as the team’s small-ball center. While he lacked shooting from outside the paint, Holmes was, in a way, playing the same role that Al Horford has entertained a few times this season as Embiid’s backup. In a vacuum, Horford is the right man for the job, as a five-time All-Star usually is. Still, no other big man in the league coming off the bench is making close to $109 million over four years.

Holmes’ contract is currently a bargain (and bargain being the operative word), one that the Sixers wound up jettisoning for cash in 2018. Considering what he brings to the table – maniacal competitiveness and shot-blocking prowess down low – the Sixers will never be able to gloss over this particular mistake.

The Sacramento Kings currently boast Holmes’ contract, paying him just over $5 million next year. Before the NBA restart, he averaged career-highs in points (12.8), rebounds (8.3), steals (1.0), blocks (1.4), field-goal percentage (65.4) and free-throw percentage (80.0).

Essentially, Holmes will be remembered as one of the Sixers’ best value picks that just flat-out got away.