My take:
Joel Embid - C
Embiid is very raw (his inexperience shows in his almost nonexistent passing and slow reaction to double and triple teams) with off the chart potential.
Problem is he needs a full season or two to reach that potential, and I'm not sure he'll ever stay healthy.
This is a key season for him.
Ben Simmons - PG
I don't buy Simmons as a PG, because I can't see him defending guards. Rather, more like a James type SF, hopefully covering SFs on defense, with a PG bringing the ball up the court and Simmons taking over at half court - or leading the fast break when the opportunity presents himself. But expectations should be tempered, one year at LSU, missed last year, there's a steep learning curve for him. But with another year to work out, he should have a NBA body. The key to his development will be to develop a jump shot, he doesn't have to be an elite shooter, but good enough to force teams to respect him.
Dario Saric - PF
I love me some homie. Saric is an example of intangibles in action, not the biggest, strongest, most athletic, yet when asked to start played at close to an all star level. With him, it's about basketball IQ and the will to dominate. He'll finally get some rest, then it's the weight room and shooting threes all summer. Once he develops a consistent 3 point shot, the sky is the limit. Imagine if Kevin Love wanted to play defense. That's Saric's upside.
Robert Covington - SF
RoCo is another "intangibles" player. He's worked hard on all aspects of his game, from learning how to drive without picking up offensive fouls left and right to becoming a top defensive small forward who can match up against big SGs, SFs and most stretch 4s. He has some limitations, he's a bit stiff as an athlete, but has size, really quick hands, and toughness to rebound.
T.J. McConnell - PG
TJ is a try hard guy who wore down the last few weeks. He's improved his defense, he's a true old fashioned PG, but he's a bit on the small side and struggles with athletic guards. He needs to work on his outside shot. In the long run his best role will be off the bench for 20-25 minutes, where he can go full gonzo and then rest.
Nick Stauskas - SG
Nik played better, but he's still too inconsistent. Give him credit, he learned to drive, showed some PG skills, tried hard on defense. But his future comes down to improving his 3 point shot, because he'll never be better than average on defense and doesn't excel at any aspect of the game. He may get pushed out down the road, right now he's a useful reserve.
Richaun Holmes - C
Holmes is an energy player who is best suited as a backup, he's undersized for center which was apparent when he had to start against full sized NBA centers (Noel has the same issue). Holmes can protect the rim, but gets overexcited and out of position, he's a work in progress on defense. He has a funky 3 point shot but shots it pretty well, has a soft touch around the basket and will attack the rim. Needs to continue to focus on blocking out and rebounding, his court awareness is somewhat lacking at times.
Gerald Henderson - SG
Henderson is a smart veteran who is limited, but plays well within those limitations for the most part, except when he gets into "hero ball" mode. The hip injury slowed him down the second half, but he was a steadying influence on the kids. Has a nice soft shot, both outside and driving the basket (understands when to avoid the trees and take the short jumper). Tries on defense but is only an average athlete who gets by on smarts and positioning.
Jalil Okafor - C
Jah was really hurt by the knee, couldn't work out over the summer, and was hampered all season. He has tremendous talent on the offensive side, but needs to work on his outside shot. He's a Randolph/Monroe rotation center who can give you instant offense off the bench. Question is whether the knee injury is chronic. Sixers were actually solid when he could play when Embiid went down, because as a starter he could absorb fouls and punishment then let Noel/Holmes come off the bench fresh against backups. If he can't get the knee healthy he has limited value, because he needs hard work in the summer and practice on defensive and rebounding fundamentals, and it's hard to do that from the bench. Given his limited trade value, they may keep him next year as Embiid insurance.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot - SG
TLC is a revelation, looked like a deer in the headlights the first month, then gradually picked up his game as the year progressed to the point he was a starting caliber guard when pressed into duty the last month.
Last 6 games, 34 minutes, 18 ppg, 3.3 Rb, 2.3 A, 1.9 steals, 1.7 TO.
He's a work in progress, but very quick, smooth to the basket and his 3 point shot improved as the season progressed. Feb 26%, March 30%, April 36%. Works hard on defense but has a lot to learn.
A summer lifting weights and shooting will do wonders for him, he's supposedly very smart and coachable.
He's the perfect 3 & D player they need at SG.
Justin Anderson - SF
Anderson was the 21st pick a couple years ago, so there's real talent there. He's an explosive athlete and a tough physical defender who won't back down from anyone.
Needs hard coaching, and BB is the man to provide it.
Question is whether he can develop a consistent 3 point shot, he's willing to attack the rim and rebound, but it's hard for a SF or SG to prosper without a reliable outside shot (ask MCW!)
Shawn Long - PF
Long is a deep bench guy, he has a smooth outside shot, but really isn't a stretch 4 or a 5, not athletic enough for PF or big enough for C.
There's upside, he has some size and skills and if he improves his defense his outside shot could earn him a role somewhere as a deep rotation guy
Alex Poythress - SF
Poythress is intruiging, in some ways he's similar to Andersen, short but stocky SF with good athleticism.
Wasn't much of a shooter in college, but shot well in the D-league so there's somethng to work with, if he can improve on that he has a chance to stick somewhere.
Defense is behind Andersen, didn't spend a lot of time in college at SF so he's learning to play in space.
Jarryd Bayless - SG
Bayless will push TJ to start at PG, not a pure PG like TJ, but a better matchup defensively against bigger opposoing PGs and a better shooter.
He's nice depth to have, and will allow TJ to play less minutes and be used in more favorable matchups.
A much better player than Sergio, who was fun, but his matador defense was a serious liability.
Sergio Rodriguez - PG
Rodriguez was signed to a one year deal, McConnell's improvement made him irrelevant, he won't be back
Tiago Splitter - C
Salary move, actually played a little at the end, but will not be back.
