Skip to content
Link copied to clipboard

76ers' opening-day roster: Player capsules

An in-depth look at the 2017-18 Sixers.

Ben Simmons, center, is introduced as part of the Sixers starting lineup before the preseason game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Oct. 4.
Ben Simmons, center, is introduced as part of the Sixers starting lineup before the preseason game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Oct. 4.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer

00 Jacob Pullen

Guard, 6-1, 200, age 27

The Kansas State product has played several years overseas, including last year with Moscow-based BC Khimki. He signed a two-way contract after an impressive training camp and will use the G-League to work his way up.

0 Jerryd Bayless

Guard, 6-3, 200, age 29

Originally brought to the Sixers last year as a point guard, he will be more of a shooting guard off the bench, expected to provide instant offense. He is looking to rebound after being limited to three games last season due torn ligaments in his left wrist.

1 Justin Anderson

Guard-Forward, 6-6, 230, age 23

Anderson averaged 8.5 points in 21.6 minutes after being acquired from Dallas in the Nerlens Noel trade. He might not be able to earn as many minutes, but his defensive versatility is a plus.

5 Amir Johnson

Forward-Center, 6-9, 240, age 30

The last player to jump directly from high school to the NBA, Johnson started 77 games last season for Boston, but averaged 20.1 minutes, a total that seems realistic with the Sixers as a key veteran off the bench. Coach Brett Brown has lauded his leadership skills.

7 Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot

Guard, 6-6, 200, age 22

A first-round pick (24th overall) in 2016, Luwawu-Cabarrot had a strong end of the season where he averaged 18.4 points in his last seven games. He was slowed by knee tendinitis early in preseason but ended up averaging 11.7 points in three games.

8 Jahlil Okafor

Center, 6-11 260, age 22

The subject of continued trade rumors, his inability to jell with Joel Embiid has made Okafor a difficult fit with the Sixers. Okafor, who averaged 18.7 points per 36 minutes last season, lost 20 pounds while on a vegan diet and enjoyed an impressive preseason. He could be a go-to low post scorer off the bench and insurance if Embiid is injured.

9 Dario Saric

Forward, 6-10, 223, age 23

Last season, he was second in rookie-of-the-year voting, but could be coming off the bench this season. He came on strong at the end of last season, averaging 17.7 points and 7.3 rebounds in his last 31 games.

11 Nik Stauskas

Guard, 6-6, 205, age 24

Entering his fourth season, the former No. 8 overall pick of the Sacramento Kings shot a career-best 36.8 percent from three-point range. With new additions, he will have trouble matching last year's 27.4 minutes per game.

12 T.J. McConnell

Guard, 6-2, 190, age 25

With Ben Simmons returning and the addition of Markelle Fultz, McConnell, who averaged 26.7 minutes in 81 games while starting the last 50, should still be an important rotation player. He is a dogged defender and brings boundless energy.

14 James Michael McAdoo

Forward, 6-9, 230, age 24

The former University of North Carolina product saw limited action in his first three seasons with Golden State. He signed a two-way contract with the Sixers in August, so he will receive needed experience in the G-League.

17 J.J. Redick

Guard, 6-4, 200, age 33

Redick gives the Sixers a major perimeter threat after averaging 15.8 points and shooting 44 percent from three-point range during his last four seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers. The former Duke All-American has been a double-figure scorer nine consecutive seasons.

20 Markelle Fultz

Guard, 6-4, 200, age 19

The NBA's first overall pick in the 2017 draft after averaging 23.2 points and 5.9 assists in his lone year at the University of Washington, Fultz will serve as a combo guard. It's been a rough preseason as he has battled injuries to his shoulder and knee.

21 Joel Embiid

Center, 7-0, 250, age 23

After missing his first two years due to foot surgeries, Embiid was limited to 31 games last year but showed superstar potential and recently signed a five-year, $146.5 million extension. He averaged 20.2 points and 7.8 rebounds in just 25.4 minutes He is still rounding into form following surgery on his left knee for a torn meniscus on March 24.

22 Richaun Holmes

Forward-Center 6-10, 235, age 24

He suffered a fractured left wrist on Oct. 6 and the Sixers announced two days later he would be reevaluated in three weeks. In his last 26 games last season, he averaged 13.6 points and 6.9 rebounds in 26.9 minutes played, while shooting 34.5 percent from beyond the arc.

25 Ben Simmons

Guard-Forward, 6-10, 230, age 21

The first overall pick in the 2016 draft from LSU, Simmons missed all last season with a Jones fracture in his right foot. Viewed as a future all-star, he is an exceptional passer and matchup nightmare. But he must work on a perimeter game, which is his biggest weakness. Simmons will play point guard on offense and could defend a variety of positions.

30 Furkan Korkmaz

Guard-Forward, 6-7, 190, age 20

The Sixers' 2016 third first-round pick (26th overall), Korkmaz spent last season in his native Turkey playing for Anadolu Efes before being loaned to Banvit. His calling card is his shooting, but he must gain strength and will likely spend time in the G-League.

33 Robert Covington

Forward, 6-9, 225, age 26

A top defender who was fourth in the NBA in steals (1.9 per game), Covington is also a streaky three-point shooter who shot a career-worst 33.3 percent from beyond the arc last season. He says he has fully recovered from April surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his right knee, which caused him to miss the final eight games.