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Just like that, a new NBA season is upon us. The Philadelphia 76ers kick off the preseason Monday night in Toronto with a matchup against the Raptors. Here are three players to keep an eye on throughout the preseason for the Sixers.
This may seem like an odd choice, but Paul Reed is one player who has a lot to gain from performing well in the preseason. If he can continue to impress, it might just land him some minutes in Doc Rivers' rotation to start the season.
Following the final day of training camp on Sunday, Rivers said there is still playing time that can be earned. The reigning G-League MVP is among the players towards the end of the bench that has a real chance to crack the rotation this season. Rivers has raved about Reed during camp, so it's clear he's on the coach's radar.
Reed will also have a lot of opportunities to show what he can do in the Sixers' four preseason games. Joel Embiid likely will not play much, opening up a ton of minutes at the center position. Earlier this week, Reed got some reps for the 76ers with the starters in scrimmages, opening up the possibility he sees starters minutes in the preseason.
Rivers has said he thinks Reed can be valuable for the 76ers this season. Now is the time for the former second-round pick to show what he can bring to the team on a nightly basis.
Multiple players were cited as standouts during camp, but one name regularly mentioned was Matisse Thybulle. Both coaches and teammates raved about a change in the 24-year-old's demeanor and confidence as he enters his third year as a pro.
Thybulle stayed extremely busy during the offseason, and it is paying some early dividends. Not only did he compete in the Summer Olympics for Australia, but he also spent time training with teammate Tobias Harris.
With Ben Simmons unlikely to step foot on the floor for the 76ers again, multiple players have to step up and help fill the hole he leaves. Thybulle is someone who can fill one gap Simmons left, his defense. Despite playing just 20 minutes per game last season, Thybulle found himself on an All-Defense team.
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The key for Thybulle is finding ways to contribute on the offensive end. If he can contribute more on the offensive end, it will make it much easier for Rivers to play him extended minutes and utilize his all-world defensive skills.
Preseason is a great opportunity for Thybulle to take everything he picked up this summer and put it to action.
Tyrese Maxey is easily the main player to keep an eye on in the preseason for the 76ers. Not only to see what he can bring in year two but, to see how he handles a bigger role.
The 2020 first-round pick took almost all of his reps with the starters during camp, indicating Rivers has his mind made up on a fifth starter. Maxey could be labeled more of a combo-guard, but now it's time to see what he can do as the maestro of the offense.
Early in camp, Rivers mentioned he plans on using a point guard by-committee system to replace what Simmons brings as a facilitator. That said, Maxey will still typically be the initiator of the offense.
Asking Maxey to take the reigns of the offense is a big task but one the young guard can handle. If he can handle point guard duties, along with providing his scoring punch, the Simmons-less Sixers might be able to do more than stay afloat while this situation gets resolved.
