Despite coach Brett Brown's efforts to develop a young Markelle Fultz, the Philadelphia 76ers will see a familiar sight back in the starting lineup, as veteran Sixers sniper J.J. Redick is set to return to his rightful spot as the team's starting shooting guard.
The move comes on the heels of the acquisition of Jimmy Butler. The Sixers are hoping to space out the floor as they did recently against the Miami Heat, providing Butler and Ben Simmons — both willing passers — a prime target on the perimeter to snipe away from distance.
Brown's hopes to develop Fultz visibly evaporated during Monday's win against the Heat, as Redick (25 points) made the most of his minutes and outshined Fultz (five points) when the two started together.
The misfit was quite obvious, leaving Brown no choice but to abandon his experiment and trot out his best lineup with Butler now set to join the rest of the starters.
“He's a point guard,” Brown said of Fultz, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer. “I think when we all really study what he's done as a point guard and what he's done with his defense, then we'll probably get less hung up on his shot. He has been excellent in both of those areas, as a point guard and as an NBA defender.”
Fultz played primarily as a point guard after the first five minutes of the game, backing up Simmons. His role coming of the bench won't vary much, though his minutes will occasionally dip due to the depth at the position with T.J. McConnell also hoping for playing time.
This was a move waiting to happen, as bringing in Butler only indicates that new general manager Elton Brand and company are trying to make the most of their short window to take control of the East.
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