2017 NBA Draft: Breaking Down De'Aaron Fox

De'Aaron Fox, Point Guard, Kentucky 

Height: 6-3 Weight: 187 Age: 19

De'Aaron Fox has managed to be a high level impact player despite performing quite poorly from an efficiency standpoint, including a well below average .452 eFG% and a .513 TS% For example, his TS% would be 39th of qualified point guards in the NBA, just behind Ricky Rubio.

The root of Fox's ineffiency comes from the fact that he has proved almost completely ineffective as a shooter. Fox is just not a threat from three-point range (.153% on 26 attempts) nor does he have much more success on two point jumpers (.291% on 55 attempts). At the college level, defenses are unsophisticated and frankly, frequently just poorly coached. For example, against North Carolina, Fox's defender consistently fought through the screens set for Fox instead of going under them, despite that he is little threat shooting the ball. Until Fox can prove he can shoot when left open, NBA defenses will give him open shots and go under screens against him, seriously hindering his ability to gain an advantage driving to the rim. Fox's jumper isn't terrible looking, but it just does t go in and hasn't throughout his young career in college and high school.

Fox is very quick and athletic, so he can still get to the rim, even without that advantage at the college level. Fox has taken nearly half his shots at the rim. Once he gets there, Fox is a good finisher (.658%) but needs to improve in contested situations, where his lack of strength and so-so touch can occasionally become issues, weaknesses that will only be exacerbated in the NBA when defenders become stronger, longer, and more athletic. It should be said that this iteration of Kentucky is very shooting-light, featuring only two players shooting better than 35% from three, so Fox isn't being given much room to operate, something that should improve in the NBA. 

It is all the other areas that Fox really excels, he is a tremendous passer with a good handle, creativity and vision. He is excellent in transition, pushing the ball with both the dribble and the pass and has extensive experience running pick-and-roll and generally makes the correct decisions. 

Defensively, Fox has a chance to be special (provided his lack of strength doesn't prove to much of a hinderance) he has tremendous lateral agility, great defensive instincts and quick, disruptive hands to create deflections and steals. What is most impressive about Fox is how hard he competes on a play-to-play basis, which shows in his defensive tenacity, transition ability, and contributions on the glass (8.1 rebound rate).

Even if his ability to shoot and score efficiently never improves to an above-average rate, Fox's passing, defense, motor, and intelligence should allow him to stick in the league, ironically in a similar way that Ricky Rubio has succeeded and been a positive contributor in the NBA.

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2017 NBA Draft: Breaking Down Lonzo Ball

Lonzo Ball, UCLA 

Height: 6-6 Weight: 190 Age: 19

Statistically, Ball has been one of the most efficient players in college basketball, posting a .664 TS% and .659 eFG%, both elite numbers for a point guard. This is even more impressive when you consider that he neither gets fouled a ton (4.4 FTA/100 possessions) nor does he convert said free throws at a high rate (.658%). Ball's efficiency is built almost completely on his ability to score from the field, taking and making a high number of threes per game (7.7 per 100) while also scoring absurdly effienctly from two point range (.673%). His two point shooting is almost all based at the rim, as 2-point jumpers make up a paltry 6% of his shot taking.

However, here lies some of the concern for Ball, who clearly benefits from the elite offensive talent around him; for example UCLA has five players averaging heavy minutes shooting over 39% from three, which certainly contributes to Ball shooting .726% at the rim as elite spacing provides much easier opportunities at the basket, especially when you factor in Ball's passing ability requires opponents to stay at home on shooters. Additionally, Ball isn't an great one-foot leaper, which makes finish contested shoots at the rim more difficult. Unless Ball is drafted into the perfect situation in the NBA, he won't be nearly as effective at the rim, which is a large part of why he has been so effienctly so far in college. What about the other half of his offensive efficiency? Ball's three-point shooting is also some what questionable, and not just because his jumper makes Kevin Martin's shot look textbook. What isconcerning is that Ball's three pointers are being assisted on .793% of the time, that means that only 1/5 of his jumpers are created on his own. Ball likes to pull up in transition, which is one way he creates open threes, but overall Ball's awkward release makes shooting off the dribble, particularly when defends go under screens, difficult. Overall, his shot is easier to challenge than most so when the spacing UCLA has most likely disappears at the next level, he could see his open shots drop because of the margin for error lessening. 

Overall, Ball will most likely be more of an opportunistic scorer in the NBA, scoring in transition and using the threat of his passing to create open looks instead of the high efficiency player offensive player that his college stats might suggest.

Ball shines in his ability to affect the game in multiple ways with scoring. At 6-6, he has the size and defensive versatility to guard multiple positions and though his athletic tools will likely hold him back from being a lock down defender against an position, that versatility is a valueable commodity in today's NBA. Ball is active defensively, particularly off the ball, and has a inherent ability to be disruptive in passing lanes with quick hands and tremendous instincts. He also uses his size well as a deterrent to shooters, averaging 1.4 blocks per 100. He may never be a shutdown defender, but Ball has the versatility and disruptive ability to be an overall plus on that end

Though he is point guard, Ball is also excellent off the ball, adept at cutting and finding open spaces to receive the ball. Despite the awkwardness of his jumper, Ball is still effective shooting when he is open, which is crucial when playing without the ball.

As a passer, Ball is obviously quite gifted, especially in transition when pushing the ball with his eyes up searching for the open man. While he isn't the quickest player, Ball is deadly when breaking down the defense because of his vision, instincts, and IQ. However, there is some question as to how easily he will be able to penetrate without UCLA excellent spacing and whether he can be able to break down defenders off the dribble when the floor closes up in the halfcourt. 

UCLA, which has four excellent guards, doesn't always need Ball to be a dominant creator and can attack matchups accordingly. Workouts will be key to show whether or not Ball can be counted on to break down defenses at a high enough level to utilize his vision and passing in the halfcourt. He might benefit playing with another creator, for instance Boston could be drafting in the range where Ball would likely be selected and he could play as a co-creator role with Isaiah Thomas but without being asked to be the one and only creator on the floor.

Though there are some questions about his jumper and ability to get into the lane, Ball is still an excellent prospect because of his high level of intelligence and the way he can affect the game not with and without the ball. 

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5 Potential Bargain Free Agents

There is likely going to be crazy money thrown around the NBA world starting July 1st, but that doesn't mean that there still won't be some bargains on the market. Here is a starting five of potential bargain contracts that could turn into consistent contributors...

C: Tyler Zeller, Boston Celtics, Age: 26 (Restricted)

Zeller was excellent during the 2014-15 season, but fell out of the rotation the next season and is now entering restricted free agency with a real chance of moving teams, especially since the Celtics appear to be targeting the likes of Dwight Howard. In 2014-15, Zeller played in all 82 games and averaged 17.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per 36 minutes, shooting .549% from the field and .823% from the line. Zeller's best attributes are his ability to run the floor and be a high efficiency finisher in the pick-and-roll. He probably isn't good enough defensively to be a full-time starter, but could be a high usage backup helping to anchor the offense of a uptempo, pick-and-roll heavy second unit. Brooklyn, Utah, Indiana, Charlotte, Washington, Dallas, Houston, and New Orleans are in need of depth at center and could look to Zeller as an affordable option with some upside.

PF: Jon Leuer, Phoenix Suns, Age: 27

Leuer doesn't look like an effective NBA player, and especially not an above-average defensive player (and not just because he is white) but in fact that is just what he is. Last season, Leuer played in 67 games and averaged 16.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists per 36 minutes and is a career .479/.375/.718 shooter. Even more impressive, Leuer has graded out as a plus defensively, despite the fact that he played in a train wreck of a team in Phoenix last season. He might not be a starting level player, but Leuer can be an integral part of an effective second unit. Leuer will basically be on a bargain basement contract and could fit any team that needs a little bit of shooting and solid defense from the big man spots.

SF: Dorell Wright, Miami Heat, Age: 30

Believe it or not, it has been 12 years since Dorell Wright entered the NBA and he has bounced around the league, including a year in China, but is still just 30 years old and can be a contributor as a shooter off the bench that has some defensive flexibility. For his career, Wright is a .365% shooter and while not a traditional wing stopper, is at least an average defender with the size at 6-9 to work in a switching style of defense. Wright could be signable for as low as the veteran minimum and be a shooter off the bench with at least average defense. There can never be too much shooting in the league, especially from the wings and every team in the NBA could use more. Wright may be limited offensively, but the skill he offers at the likely price is enough for any team.

SG: E'Twuan Moore, Chicago Bulls, Age: 27

Like all the players on this list, "solid" is the best way to describe Moore, he doesn't have a ton of upside but is good enough to be a versatile, impactful bench player. Moore is a combo guard that can play a little point but is probably best suited as an off guard that can function as a secondary creator. Moore is a career .369% three-point shooter and an average to above-average defensive player at both guard spots. Again, nothing flashy but Moore is a depth piece that can provide consistent guard play off the bench in a league that has fewer better than average guards than you might expect. Chicago shouldn't let Moore go, but teams like New York, Sacramento, Brooklyn, Orlando, Washington, Dallas, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Detroit, Houston, New Orleans, and many more could look to shore up their depth with a player like Moore, that is how broad his appeal is.

PG: Jerryd Bayless, Milwaukee Bucks, Age: 27

Bayless is a known commodity for the most part, a scoring combo guard that has never quite performed up to his talent but has quietly been a good backup because of his shot creation skills. Even more quietly has been the improvement of his jumper, which was once seen as a weakness but is now a weapon, to the point he shot .437% from three last season. While he is sure to regress from that number, there is no reason he can't settle in as an above-average shooter with the ability to break down defenses and beef up the scoring off of the bench of team that maybe has another distributor at a non-point guard position for an inexpensive price.

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2016 NBA Draft: Phoenix Suns Draft Review

Current 2016-17 Roster

PG: Eric Bledsoe/Brandon Knight/Tyler Ulis

SG: Devin Booker/Archie Goodwin/John Jenkins

SF: P.J. Tucker/T.J. Warren

PF: Jared Dudley/Dragan Bender/Marquese Chriss

C: Alex Len/Tyson Chandler/Alan Williams

Free Agents

PF Jon Leuer

SF Chase Budinger

PG Ronnie Price

PF Mirza Teletovic

Who They Acquired

04. Dragan Bender, F/C Maccabi Tel Aviv

Despite their proclivity to search for quick fixes, Robert Sarver's Suns made the correct decision and drafted the best prospect available, despite the fact that he won't be able to step in from day one and be a starting level contributor. Bender is a wonderful prospect for the modern NBA and the exact type of player the high usage, guard heavy Suns need.

09. Marquese Chriss, PF Washington

The Suns traded their latter two of three first round picks and the draft rights to Bogdan Bogdanovic to move up from 13 to 9 and select Chriss, whom was in play starting at three and represented the clear end of a tier. Chriss is loaded with potential but really needs time to develop and learn the game. The physical talent and raw offensive skill are obvious, but the lack of feel and experience are just as well.

34. Tyler Ulis, PG Kentucky

Despite buzz that he would be a first round pick, logic won out and no one drafted a sub-150 pound guard with a first round pick. In the second round, as a clear backup or even third guard, Ulis is much more palatable. Ulis is the third point guard on the Suns roster and believe it or not, the fifth Kentucky guard on Phoenix's roster.

How They Fit

Bender is exactly the type of player the Suns need, a low-usage player that is completely content to do the little things, spacing the floor, passing, and defending on the perimeter while players like Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight, Devin Booker, and TJ Warren soak up offensive possessions. Bender is an ideal modern NBA big man who can play in a switching defense, space the floor, and be a ball-mover offensively. His rookie year, Bender should probably just play 15-20 minutes a game as he develops his body and adjusts to the NBA game. Once he is able to play starters minutes, there is a ton you can do with Bender, including playing both sides of the pick and roll as either ball-handler or screener, where he can pop or roll. Defensively, Bender will likely need a strong rim protector next to him, because his strengths defensively lie more in his ability to guard on the perimeter and switch. Perhaps it will change as his body develops, but currently Bender is just average on the glass, so a center and wings/guards that can rebound would be a benefit. Alex Len has shown flashes of that level of rebounding and defense but the jury is still out regarding whether or not he can become that guy.

Chriss shares some of the same weaknesses as Bender, namely his troubles on the glass, so pairing him with players who are good rebounders like Warren, PJ Tucker, and Bledsoe would be advantageous. Chriss is so good getting up and down the floor that he would be a real threat in a uptempo offense where he can get out and run. Chriss needs to develop his feel, instincts, and polish but the flashes he gives show a forward that can attack off the dribble and shoot from the outside. He could be a devastating pick-and-roll player due to his smooth athleticism and explosiveness as a roll-man or popping for a jumper, once his jumper get consistent. Further away yet is an ability to score in isolation, the tools are definitely there but serious refinement is needed going forward as he learns actual moves and builds his experience. All of this might be a few years away, but the reward of patient development could lead to a devastating offensive player with serious switchability on defense. Chriss might spend most of his time in the D-League, as he probably won't be ready for the big team quite yet, especially considering his very high foul rate. The question of long-term fit with Bender and Chriss comes down to whether or not Bender can play center eventually, which will likely be determined by how his body fills out. Still, as more and more teams turn to small-ball lineups, it's hard to see Bender being punished too severely but a lack of strength, especially since if you have Bender and Chriss, you are probably switching everything anyways so that would mitigate many of those issues.

Ulis is a player tailor made for backup or third point guard because he is too physically small (not just short, small) to be effective against starters, but his ability to run pick-and-roll means that when he is on the floor you are going to have an effective offense, even if he really struggled to defend anyone with size. If Knight isn't traded and Ronnie Price is brought back, I would keep Ulis in the D-League for much of the season so he can build chemistry with Chriss. Defensively, Ulis defintely gives tremendous effort but 5-10, 150 he is little better than a traffic cone in the NBA, though he is good picking up steals. You'd want to play a big guard with Ulis to cover up but his utter lack of size and strength would hurt your ability to switch. The question with Ulis is how his intangibles, his leadership and work ethic, can have an affect, if any.

What They Need Going Forward

First and foremost, the Suns need to solve their logjam at center and guard, Alex Len and Tyson Chandler are completely redundant and cannot be played together. Whether by trade, buyout, or stretch it is time for Chandler to move on, presumably to the contender he desires. If Chandler is moved, Alan Williams should be given his shot as the backup, but the Suns should still look for depth, particularly an athletic big that can move and defend the rim. At guard, the Suns have four players that are best with the ball in the hands and a fifth, Devin Booker, that will need plenty of possessions himself. Whether it's Goodwin, Knight, or even Bledsoe, the Suns need to find balance to their roster and get some lower usage wings to compliment their ball-dominant players. At small forward, the Suns have two guys who are probably better at power forward and might not be starter quality, while at power forward there is only Chriss and Bender, neither of whom are ready to play starters minutes. So either the Suns need to move Tucker and Warren to power forward and acquire a small forward or they need to find a power forward. Even with Warren and Tucker there, depth will be needed at both spots. Phoenix signed Jared Dudley to a reasonable deal that will likely have him playing power forward, but they could use another combo forward, perhaps Maurice Harkless. To maximize their current roster and help their young players the most, Phoenix should look for shooters at the forward spots that can create space for Len posting up and their ball-dominant guards.

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2016 NBA Draft: Brooklyn Nets Draft Review

Current 2016-17 Roster

PG: Isaiah Whitehead

SG: Bojan Bogdanovic/Caris LeVert/Sean Kilpatrick

SF: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

PF: Chris McCullough

C: Brook Lopez

Free Agents

SG Sergey Karasev

PF Thomas Robinson

C Henry Sims

PG Donald Sloan

PG Shane Larkin (Player Option)

SG Wayne Ellington (Player Option)

PF Willie Reed (Restricted)

SG Markel Brown (Restricted) 

Who They Acquired

20. Caris LeVert, SG Michigan

The Nets traded Thad Young for this pick and took a serious risk in LeVert, who's leg and foot injury history is quite terrifying. When healthy, LeVert is a very talented wing that can really shoot and has played as some point guard in his career. Without injuries LeVert would be a likely lottery pick. However, even if you take away the injuries LeVert isn't a lock to be a hit, he is a bad defender, lacks toughness, and might be a product of Michigan's spread out system (ala Nik Stauskas and Trey Burke). The Nets are taking a huge risk with a rare resource (for them) at a point where they could have gotten a more bankable return. 

42. Isaiah Whitehead, G Seton Hall

The Nets took a solid gamble in the second round with Brooklyn native Whitehead, a talented combo guard that can really shoot with extended range. Despite strength and quickness, Whitehead is a poor inside the arc scorer, shooting 39% from two point range and a terrible 47% at the rim. The question is, can he be a point guard and more than just shooter off the bench that can make some flashy passes?

How They Fit

One of the most appealing aspects of LeVert's jack-of-all-trades skillset is that he easily fits into most every team as a role player because of his ability to shoot, handle the ball, and pass. You could use him as secondary ball-handler alongside a more ball-dominant point point guard or as a co-lead guard with more of a combo guard. Due his shooting ability, LeVert projects to be a dangerous pick-and-roll threat, especially from the wing spot, so playing him with a good screener/roll man would make for a dangerous second unit offense. LeVert's defense is questionable, so I like his pairing with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson on the wing, who is a strong defensive player but poor shooter. LeVert and Hollis-Jefferson compliment each other well. I would also want a good defensive point guard playing with LeVert as well, though it might not be a necessity. 

Whitehead is a shot-creating combo guard with deep shooting range, so in that respect he actually makes sense with LeVert. Getting penetration and using the threat of his jumper to beat his many has never been an issue for Whitehead, but converting inside the arc and specifically at the rim have been a real problem for him. Spacing on a basketball floor doesn't just help players get to the rim, it makes finishing easier, pulling defenders away from the paint so their challenges are fewer and not as tight. Kemba Walker's finishing improved once Charlotte started spreading the floor and Dirk Nowitzki has been making mediocre guards successful with the threat of his jumper in pick-and-pop for years. With that in mind, spreading the floor for Whitehead and giving him a screening partner that can shoot would help him maximize his efficiency, especially considering his shooting ability will not allow teams to go under on his screens.

What They Need Going Forward

Really everything, so in that respect they actually need assets to rebuild their team from the ground up. They have a promising building block in Hollis-Jefferson (who even still barely played last season) but beyond that there really isn't much. Chris McCullough, LeVert, and Whitehead have upside but also serious questions and are a long way to go to become anything. The next step is selling off Brook Lopez and Bojan Bogdanovic for whatever you can get, both are good players, especially Lopez, but they aren't necessarily part of the Nets rebuilding effort and the ultimate iteration of what Brooklyn is building. From that perspective, the Nets need to view any free agents and non-foundational young players as potential trade assets that can bring back draft picks or good, young, cost controlled players. For example, I could see Whitehead showing his flashy game for a year them being flipped in a package over the summer. Brooklyn might see it differently and look to rebuild quicker, but with how dire this team's situation is, a full tear down seems like it will be necessary for Brooklyn to contend.

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2016 NBA Draft: Los Angeles Lakers Draft Review

Current 2016-17 Roster

PG: D'Angelo Russell

SG: Nick Young

SF: Brandon Ingram/Anthony Brown

PF: Julius Randle/Larry Nance Jr.

C: Ivica Zubac

Free Agents

PF Brandon Bass

SG Kobe Bryant (Retired)

C Roy Hibbert

C Robert Sacre

SF Metta World Peace

G Jordan Clarkson (Restricted)

PG Marcelo Huertas (Restricted)

PF Ryan Kelly (Restricted)

C Tarik Black (Restricted)

Who They Acquired

02. Brandon Ingram, SF Duke

The Lakers made the obvious choice, going with whom many considered the 1b to Ben Simmons 1a. Ingram probably won't be the star that Los Angeles craves, but we will be an excellent contributor in every area of the game and the kind of player that will attract free agents and can fit in pretty much any offense.

32. Ivica Zubac, C Mega Leks

In the second round, the Lakers got a steal a in Zubac, who was projected by many to be a sure-fire first round pick. Croatia's Zubac most likely fell because he wants (and presumably will) come to the NBA right away and wasn't interested in being stashed. He isn't ready to be a starting center, but in a back role of the bench Zubac could play 10-15 minutes a game as early as next season, especially if the Lakers aren't competing for anything, which is likely.

How They Fit

One of the biggest appeals of Ingram is that he fits really well with any team in any offense. However, despite the fact that he will likely be a starter and play many minutes for LA, it is important to remember the Ingram is far from a finished product and isn't the player he will be a few years from now. Starting out, Ingram will likely be limited to spot-up shooting and the occasional pick-and-roll opportunities as he adjusts to the physicality of the game. As he develops, Ingram projects as a secondary ball-handler who can play both forward spots, run pick-and-roll, and while he may never be an elite at-the-rim scorer, his pull-up game is something that could become a real weapon in the NBA. Ingram and an athletic big like Julius Randle as the role man would be difficult to contend with. Using Ingram as the screener is another possibility, where he can both pop or roll, with D'Angelo Russell as the ball-handler. At this point, Ingram is still learning the defensive fundamentals and should not be asked to guard the best opposing wing, however with defensive tissue paper in Russell and Jordan Clarkson as the projected backcourt, Ingram may have no choice but to take his lumps defensively. While eventually he can be a high usage player, Ingram can also be a low usage shooter/defender if LA is able to attract stars.

Zubac is definitely an old-style center, he doesn't have range to his game and is the most effective close to the basket, both offensively and defensively. Posting up, Zubac has good hands and feet, but his skills scoring there aren't what you call polished. However, at 7-1, 265 and still growing, there aren't going to be a ton of centers that will be able to matchup physically once his frame has fully filled out. Zubac will require offense to be created for him, either as a dump off or in the screen-and-roll game, therefore it would be wise to play him with a pure, passing point guard like Marcelo Huertas who can find him easy baskets as his other offense develops. Defensively, the further you move Zubac away from the basket at this point, the less effective his defense becomes. He isn't a pure shot-blocker, but his sheer size and reach make him an impediment at the basket. Where he needs to improve is defending on the moving, he isn't the kind of guy you want switching, but if he can just improve in the little areas like hedging screens then recovering, it will really help his defensive value. Pairing Zubac with a mobile power forward that can help him out would be wise.

What They Need Going Forward

With nine potential free agents this summer, the Lakers have a lot of needs and a chance to really re-make their roster with any number of free agents, from stars on down. While I am bullish on Zubac's potential career prospects, he is far from ready to be a starting center, which is LA biggest need. None of the Lakers other four starts project to be above-average defensive players, so a strong defensive center is a must (Dwight Howard? Just kidding.) Another wing player that could force Clarkson into a sixth-man role would be another option, particularly one that can shoot and play defense. Assuming that Huertas is retained, the Lakers should look to fill out their depth with strong defensive players that can mix-and-match with their more offensive focused starters. 

In reality, none of the Lakers incumbent players have proved themselves to be starter level players yet, so if the Lakers can acquire a more proven young player, either in free agency or trade, then they should regardless of their current roster.

Oh and in what any way possible they can get rid of festering human boil Nick Young, they should.

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2016 NBA Draft: Philadelphia 76ers Draft Review

Current 2016-17 Roster

PG: T.J. McConnell/Kendall Marshall

SG: Nik Stauskas/Timothe Luwawu

SF: Robert Covington/Jerami Grant

PF: Ben Simmons/Dario Saric/Richaun Holmes

C: Joel Embiid/Nerlens Noel/Jahlil Okafor/Carl Landry

Free Agents

PF Elton Brand

PG Ish Smith

G Isaiah Canaan (Restricted)

SG Hollis Thompson (Restricted)

PF Christian Wood (Restricted)

Who They Acquired

01. Ben Simmons, G/F LSU

Philadelphia made the pick everyone was expecting and drafted Simmons, who is essentially a 6-10 lead guard with his advanced ball-handling, vision, and point guard skills. He is tremendous in transition and rebounds very well, but there are questions about his ability to shoot, defend, and lead.

24. Timothe Luwawu, SF Mega Leks

Luwawu's "value" (whatever that means) seems to have peaked early in the process before he slided back into where he started, in the late first round. The Frenchman has defensive potential and a developing, if inconsistent jumpshot and some floor game, though both need polishing out. Reportedly Luwawu will come to Philadelphia this coming season.

26. Furkan Korkmaz, SG Anadolu Efes

The Sixers doubled up on international wing prospects, taking the raw but talented Korkmaz. The Turkish international is a very good athlete with a sweet outside stroke and some slasher potential, though his ability to score inside the arc is a question mark.

How They Fit

Simmons is obviously, along with Joel Embiid if he can stay healthy, part of the two foundational building blocks in Philadelphia. By taking Simmons, the Sixers are committing to building around him and playing in a style that suits him. That means getting up and down with fast, athletic players that can both shoot and defend as well as a big man that can play pick-and-roll and defend the rim. Simmons will, more often than not, be the primary ball-handler and playmaker, the point guard. Spreading the floor with a 4/5 pick-and-roll with Simmons and Embiid (or Noel) will be the bread-and-butter of this offense, give him the ball, set a screen and let him have a wide-open floor to see and create. Simmons can also posted up if opponents try to put a smaller player on him, however if defenders lay off and dare Simmons to shoot, he will need to find a way around that tactic, something he was unable to do consistently in college.

Luwawu, should he come over right away as is being reported, will be an important part of the Sixers are doing, ready or not, because they really lack true wings that can shoot the ball. Even if that weakness is addressed in trade or free agency, Luwawu should be a big part of their plans going forward because he fits so well with Simmons and Embiid. Provided Luwawu continues his development as a shooter, his ability to run in transition and space the floor should be ideal for the type of up-tempo, spread out offense you want to run with Simmons. Defensively, Luwawu looks to be an ace against 1s and 2s, but we will need to get stronger if he wants to switch beyond that and guard bigger wings, which is presumably the kind of defense you'd like to play with Simmons, as his point guard skills allow you to play three wings instead of a traditional point guard.

Whether in Europe of the D-League next season, Korkmaz has some clear areas of improvement he can focus on before becoming a part of Philadelphia's main roster. First and foremost, he needs to get stronger. At roughly 6-7, 185 Korkmaz is far too skinny and it shows in his finishing and defense, which are the two most glaring areas of weakness in his game. Just getting stronger will help Korkmaz with both, but there is more to it than that, particularly craft as a finisher and effort as a defender. If he becomes a finished product, Korkmaz would be similar to Luwawu as an athletic wing that can get up and down the floor, but likely with better shooting and worse defense.

What They Need Going Forward

First and foremost, the Sixers need to get their big man position sorted out, they have the most imbalanced roster in the league with zero at least average NBA guards and seven guys who are best at center and power forward, eight if Dario Saric comes over. Despite their efforts to trade Nerlens Noel (a good fit with Ben Simmons), Jahlil Okafor (an apocalyptically bad fit with Simmons) is the one they need to move, possibly throwing in another of their young bigs in attempt to bring back a better guard or wing.

The Sixers have made it clear they are willing to spend money in free agency and the guard and wing spots should be their focus, in particular those that can defend and shoot. And while Simmons is able to play point guard himself, it would be a mistake not to put other playmakers on the floor because he can be played off of so severely. Besides, why wouldn't you want more passers and playmakers on the floor?

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