The NBA regular season kicked off this week, and teams are doing all they can to start the year off on the right foot. After a drama-filled offseason, one team that has a ton of eyes on it is the Philadelphia 76ers. With one game already under their belt, here are five big questions for the Sixers this season.
Sixers questions:
1) How impactful will the new additions be?
Daryl Morey did not make any big splashes in free agency but made multiple lateral moves to keep the Sixers in a position to compete deep into the playoffs. Along with retaining Danny Green and Furkan Korkmaz, he acquired a pair of new players in Andre Drummond and Georges Niang.
Many agree that Niang and Drummond are upgrades to the roster, but how impactful will they be? Only time will tell what impact they will have on Doc Rivers' second unit.
The Sixers' bench unit had a strong preseason, and part of that was due to the strong play of the new additions. Their skillsets have brought an entirely new element to that lineup. Niang's deadeye shooting has opened the floor, while Drummond is a physical presence around the rim on both sides of the floor.
As the two continue to integrate themselves with their new team, they might help fix some depth issues that have hurt the Sixers in the past.
2) How will the defense look without Ben Simmons?
Similar to the offseason, Ben Simmons' status with the Sixers has been one of the biggest storylines in basketball. While the 25-year-old ended his holdout, the team has begun their schedule without his services.
Replacing Simmons' impact on the game will be no small feat, especially on the defensive end. Along with finishing second Defensive Player of the Year voting, he is also regarded as the most versatile defender in the league. That said, how different the Sixers' defense looks without him will be a key storyline to watch in the early weeks of the season.
With a player like Joel Embiid anchoring the defense, the Sixers will always be above average on that side of the floor. The question is how they slow down opposing stars on the perimeter. A lot more will be asked of Danny Green and Tobias Harris when it comes to slowing down opposing wing players.
3) Can Tyrese Maxey take the step forward the Sixers need from him?
At the conclusion of last season, it was clear Tyrese Maxey was on pace for a bigger role in his second season. His expectations grew even more when the Simmons saga took a nasty turn in the offseason.
Maxey has never been one to shy away from an opportunity and isn't going to start now. The question is, can he take a major step in his development to be a full-time time starter on a team with title aspirations? That kind of pressure is a lot to put on a 20-year-old entering just his second season.
Based on the flashes he showed last season, Maxey has a chance to thrive in an expanded role. He constantly reminded the league last year that he should not have fallen all the way to the 21st pick on draft night 2020.
There is no denying Maxey has loads of potential and will be a good player in the league for years to come, but can he fast-track his development to be the point guard the Sixers need right now? If his season debut is any indicator, he is more than up for the challenge.
4) Will a suitable trade package for Ben Simmons surface before the deadline?
One thing that has prolonged the Ben Simmons saga is Daryl Morey's asking price. From the beginning, his stance on a deal has been firm. Morey wants an All-Star caliber player in return for Simmons, and until one becomes available, he will remain patient. He is not going to make a trade simply to appease the needs of a disgruntled All-Star.
With clear demands in mind, there is no telling when or how this saga will end. The trade deadline will be the decisive moment for Morey in what to do with Simmons moving forward. But will a player that fits his criteria become available via trade before then?
In today's age, star players can change their minds in the blink of an eye. Morey is waiting for a team to start slow out the gate and potentially boost their offer for Simmons in a panic move. Due to the lackluster offers he's gotten thus far for the former number one pick, remaining patient is the right play.
5) Will Ben Simmons actually take the floor for the Sixers?
This might be the biggest question regarding the Sixers heading into this season. Based on how Simmons has conducted himself thus far, it feels unlikely he takes the floor in a game any time soon.
It's clear that Simmons' intentions have not changed since the end of his holdout, he still wants this all to end with him being moved to a new team. His actions in practice over the last week are also an indicator that he will not be handling things professionally.
Rivers and the team have done all they could to give him a chance upon his return, but the writing is on the wall with Simmons. While he might be physically present with the team, he is far from mentally engaged or invested with what's going on.
Until Simmons shows any inkling of caring, it's safe to assume he may never don a Sixers' uniform again.
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