Sixers: Are Robert Covington’s Struggles Shaping Team’s Roster Building?

By George Kondoleon | Dec 28, 2016

Dec 23, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) drives to the basket against the Phoenix Suns in the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the 76ers 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

The Sixers have many holes to fill when it comes to the roster, but the wing position seems to be a new, and daunting, one.

The importance of wing players are unmatched. The value of good perimeter defenders on the wing is at its highest, with the explosion of the three-point game and the ability for shooters to also quickly attack the basket. It’s a position that once looked solidified, for a short time at least, for the Sixers.

Robert Covington seemed to have been on his way towards finding a serious role for this Sixers team as they transition from rebuild to hopeful contenders. His scoring production was high, his shooting was fairly consistent, and his defense was salvageable enough to feel confident with practically any matchup.

Maybe he was never the best long-term wing option, but he was at the very least a decent one. Or so it seemed. Covington has struggled this year to recapture even partial consistency shooting wise. Defensively, he’s been very good at cutting off passing lanes, but often finds himself left in the dust against quick perimeter ball-handlers.

Covington’s shooting percentage is at a career-low from both the field and behind the three-point line, as he is threatened to finish below 30% from the outside for the first time in his NBA career. He often misses open shots that are a result of surprisingly good ball movement from the Sixers’ offense.

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His struggles on offense have turned Covington into a negative on the court. Despite his impact in the passing lanes, it hasn’t been enough to overcome his poor shooting. He’s become a drag on offense in ways.

The Sixers have been looking for a point guard for seasons, and that still seems to be the main priority. Even with Ben Simmons taking the role of a primary ball-handler, a secondary option is much needed.

Sergio Rodriguez has been decent when it comes to pushing the ball in a pacy offense, but his volume shooting is a deterrent. The Jerryd Bayless signing has yet to bring a return with a season-ending injury after appearing in just three games. TJ McConnell is still at most a second or third option at point guard.

Markelle Fultz seems to be the ideal solution for a guard who can play next to or without Simmons. But acquiring him would be reliant on the Sixers landing the top spot in the lottery. If not Fultz, it seems like point guard Dennis Smith, Jr. is next in line.

But what if Covington’s struggles have reached a breaking point? Kansas forward Josh Jackson could become a serious option in the top two spots for the Sixers. Spacing won’t be perfect next to Simmons, but Jackson’s rebounding and defensive aggressiveness will anchor the team’s perimeter defense.

If not the draft, free agency could see the shift. Ben McLemore and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are RFA options that could be pried away with a big enough offer. A more unlikely RFA option is Otto Porter, Jr., who is finally having his breakout season.

It might be more sensible to try to snag a top guard in the loaded draft, and to spend more of the money on a wing player in free agency rather than a guard. It’s interesting the way a daunting struggle of one player can reshape a team’s philosophy.

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The point guard position is still in the forefront of needs, but the wing position is becoming more of necessity for the Sixers. Solidifying the wing will open up more for the focal points of the offense, Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. The team still needs a secondary ball-handler, but the wing position is creeping towards becoming a very real and immediate need.