With the 2019-2020 NBA season fast approaching, Our First Draft is providing team previews for all 30 NBA teams. These are intended to inform the reader about important roster changes for all teams, as well as summarizing the outlook of the team ahead. This includes the Vegas Over/Under line, OFD’s recommendation on which side to take, as well as a projected record for the team.
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Conference: Eastern
Wins O/U: 54.5 (Over -110, Under -110)
Last Year’s Record: 51-31
Projected Roster (Projected Starters marked with asterisks): J. Bolden, T. Burke, J. Embiid*, J. Ennis III, T. Harris*, A. Horford*, F. Korkmaz, S. Milton, R. Neto, K. O’Quinn, J. Richardson*, M. Scott, B. Simmons*, Z. Smith, M. Thybulle
Key Offseason Moves: Traded J. Butler for J. Richardson, Signed A. Horford, Lost J. Redick, Drafted M. Thybulle, Signed K. O’Quinn, Lost B. Marjanovic, Lost T. McConnell, Signed T. Burke, Signed R. Neto
Overall Summary: The Sixers come into the year as the clear #2 team in the East – having gone through a turbulent offseason, but one which may actually leave them a better team. They traded the excellent but mercurial Jimmy Butler for Josh Richardson – who is less dynamic but a better shooter from 3. There was another change in the Sixers starting lineup; J.J. Redick signed with the Pelicans, but Philly poached Al Horford from the rival Celtics. Along with the underrated Tobias Harris, and international superstars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, these two additions will combine to be the biggest lineup in NBA history. Richardson, at 6’6” with a 6’9” wingspan is somehow the smallest starter, and the combination inside of Joel Embiid and Al Horford will be absolutely suffocating on defense. The worry for this team is two-fold; offensive spacing and health. Without Redick, Philly will struggle even more with their offensive spacing. While Richardson and Horford are good shooters, neither are a sniper from downtown like Redick – and the absolute lack of shooting that Simmons provides makes someone like Redick so necessary. If the videos showing Simmons practicing 3s are in any way indicative of what he will do next season, the Sixers could be the best team in the league. The second contingency is health. Embiid is on a per-minute basis one of the most dominant players in the NBA, but his health has continued to be a question throughout his career. Bringing Horford in not only improves their defense, it also allows them to rest Embiid more, because Horford is able to play the center position. All in all, if things go right for the Sixers, they are one of the serious contenders to be the last team standing next June.
Verdict: This is an excellent line. I think they will be lasered in towards the mid-50s in wins. Since I believe that the Bucks will approach 60 wins, I think the Sixers will clearly be the 2nd seed in the East with a number of games remaining., and as such, might rest their stars at the end of the season. I have them going 54-28, .5 games under, but I strongly advise bettors to stay away from this bet.
