Sixers: Ranking each player on the roster for the 2017-18 season

The Sixers head into the season with a new level of talent. How does each player rank on the roster for 2017-18.

Ranking the Sixers roster has always been about potential. And even with the added level of talent going into this 2017-18 season, that still will shape the bulk of this season’s rankings. Even with veterans gracing the team, the top of the list will be based on the potential of these young stars.

These rankings are for this season only. It’s basically to project the impact of how each player will have to the time this season, and this season only. It’s not about what players have done, or haven’t done. It’s simply a prediction of who the most important players will be on this team.

1. Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid isn’t cleared to play yet. But that should be resolved come October. Embiid’s impact on the Sixers was evident in his 31 games last season, and that will continue into 2017-18. With more shooting around him, the post will open for Embiid.

Embiid struggled to pass out of double teams for much of the season, and with more viable options on the perimeter who work well off the ball, he’ll become more of a threat in terms of passing out of the post.

2. Ben Simmons

Not really a hot take coming your way. Ben Simmons will be the most electrifying player the Sixers have this season. His flashy passing will catch the highlight reel’s attention more than once. His speed at such size will make many wonder about how one came move so gracefully.

All that flashiness will play well with the general fan. But he’s so much more than that. He’s the most intricate tool opponents will have to game plan around. A 7-foot point guard shifts the entire look of the opposing defense. You now must shift your most versatile defender towards him, allowing for Markelle Fultz and other perimeter players to often match up to lesser defenders.

Ben Simmons will make himself the most important player for the Sixers this season. His abilities with the ball elevates the play of his teammates, and that will show this season.

Simmons and Embiid will become the staples of this franchise this year. And they’ll do it with the previously mentioned pick and roll dynamic.

3. J.J. Redick

Is it getting too spicy for you? J.J. Redick comes to Philadelphia on a one-year deal, and doing so as an immediate impact. Redick is an elite catch and shoot option, which was lacking from the Sixers’ rosters for a few seasons now. Expect Redick to fill the exact role he did in Los Angeles.

With the powerhouse Clippers, he was the primary focus in flare screen sets, intertwining with Chris Paul for fluid offense leading to open outside shot. He’ll do the same with Simmons or Fultz at the point. His skill set is suited for this Brett Brown offense.

Pace and space suits the quick shooter. Off the ball, Redick is so difficult to stay with because of his deceptive first step. His body movement on fakes is so incredible to watch, and is the reason he finds himself open on so many opportunities.

Without Redick, the spacing for the starting five would have been questionable at best. Now, the Sixers have a dangerously dynamic offense that can hurt you in multitudes of ways.

4. Markelle Fultz

Markelle Fultz will be a bonafide star. You can put me on the most permanent record saying it. But, I do expect him to face some rookie bumps. A lot more than Simmons will. And that’s just the reality of being an average sized guard coming into the NBA.

But Fultz is going to serve as the secondary ball handler, a crucial role for this Sixers team. He is an able guard that has a deadly first move towards the basket. Pairing that with a consistent outside shot, I’m not sure how you can’t look at Fultz and awe at his potential.

For this year, Markelle Fultz is going to probably be scoring at a lower rate as expected, but this player is going to reach his high ceiling shortly after this season.

5. Dario Saric

Dario Saric is not and should not start this year. But he is the fifth most impactful player. He will lead this team’s second unit in the front court, and will look to be an important scorer off the bench. The Sixers bench will be bolstered by the Croatian, and although I expect Fultz and Simmons to stagger after the first rotation comes through, still see a focus on Saric in the offense.

The Saric we saw in the second half of the year will be the one we see in the second unit. Giving him control of the offense seemed to work in the second half of last season, and I expect him to do the same damage off the bench.

The reason why Saric is higher than Covington is my value on bench play. Saric leading the second unit is enough of an offensive force to keep a talented Sixers offense sustained.

6. Robert Covington

In reality, Covington could be argued anywhere from 4-6. The reason why I have him lower than most would is my understanding of this Sixers offense. Fultz and Redick give the team more of a fluidly moving offense.

Which I’m placing a heightened sense of importance. But that’s not to say Covington’s perimeter defense isn’t key. In fact, him starting gives the team it’s most complete lineup possible. Covington can ease the issues Ben Simmons brings on perimeter defense, and can take on more challenging wing players.

His importance in transition defense also puts his impact at a showcase. The Sixers’ fast break offense often leads to opposing fast breaks. Robert Covington is the glue guy that can keep this lineup together.

7. Jerryd Bayless

8. Richaun Holmes

9. Jahlil Okafor

10. Amir Johnson

11. TJ McConnell

12. Justin Anderson

13. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot

14. Nik Stauskas

15. Furkan Korkmaz

Next: 5 Landing Spots for Jahlil Okafor

The Sixers will be a team that makes a huge leap, but how big the leap is depends on the play of the top six. If more than two of them fall, the team will suffer because of it. Lets see how these rankings look by the end of the season.