76ers offseason recap: Simmons, Saric and Embiid join talented frontcourt
With the bulk of NBA free agency in the books, Paste BN Sports explores how all the offseason moves will alter each team as we look ahead to the 2016-17 season.
What do you think the starting five of your favorite team should be? Head over to @usatodaynba on Twitter and tell us.
Projected starting five: Philadelphia 76ers
(Statistics from 2015-16 season)
- Jerryd Bayless (with Milwaukee) - Points: 10.4, assists: 3.1, rebounds: 2.7, steals: 0.9, field goal percentage: 42.3%
- Gerald Henderson (with Portland) - Points: 8.7, rebounds: 2.9, assists: 1.0, steals: 0.5, field goal percentage: 43.9%
- Robert Covington - Points: 12.8, rebounds: 6.3, assists: 1.4, steals: 1.6, field goal percentage: 38.5%
- Ben Simmons (with LSU) - Points: 19.2, rebounds: 11.8, assists: 4.8, steals: 2.0, field goal percentage: 56.0%
- Jahlil Okafor - Points: 17.5, rebounds: 7.0, assists: 1.2, blocks: 1.2, field goal percentage: 50.8%
Added - Bayless, Henderson, Simmons, Dario Saric, Timothe Luwawu, Sergio Rodriguez
Lost - Isaiah Canaan, Ish Smith, Christian Wood, Carl Landry, Kendall Marshall, Elton Brand (unsigned)
Biggest acquisition - Simmons
The 6-foot-10 forward heads to Philly as the team's fifth lottery selection in four years, with sky-high expectations and superstar potential to match. Question marks surround his jumper, but you can expect the No. 1 overall pick to make an immediate impact as the focal point of this young Sixers squad.
Biggest departure - Smith
His loss won't hurt as much with veterans Bayless and Rodriguez in town and Simmons' potential to be the team's primary ballhandler, but Smith — who signed with the Detroit Pistons for three years, $18 million — was one of the lone bright spots on the court for the Sixers last season, averaging 14.7 points, 7 assists and 1.3 steals in 50 games (50 starts).
X factor - Joel Embiid
All signs indicate that the former No. 3 overall pick (2014) is finally ready to make his NBA debut after two foot surgeries and two missed seasons. But until he proves that those foot issues are a thing of the past and that he can contribute as a primary member of a crowded but talented Sixers frontcourt that — barring any movement — will feature Simmons, Okafor (No. 3 pick; 2015), Saric (No. 12; 2014), Nerlens Noel (No. 6; 2013) and Richaun Holmes (No. 37; 2015), Embiid is still the X factor in Philly.
Offseason grade - A-
Check out our other offseason recaps: Atlanta • Boston • Brooklyn • Charlotte • Chicago • Cleveland • Dallas • Denver • Detroit • Golden State • Houston• Indiana • L.A. Clippers • L.A. Lakers • Memphis • Miami • Milwaukee • Minnesota • New Orleans • New York • Oklahoma City • Orlando
Follow AJ Neuharth-Keusch on Twitter @tweetAJNK