Philadelphia 76ers' 2016 Draft Picks Primed for Expanded Role Next Year

While the Philadelphia 76ers’ three first-round selections have been somewhat overlooked this season as Ben Simmons heals, there does still remain a chance that all three hold a prominent role in the rotation come next season.

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The Philadelphia 76ers’ season has been defined by exceptional play from the likes of Joel Embiid and, to a lesser extent, Dario Saric. That, however, has led to many overlooking the amount of potential still held in the 2016 class — a group of three first round talents the team has stashed. Ben Simmons is aiming for a return from somewhere around January, but Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot has been largely underutilized, while Furkan Korkmaz is playing overseas.

With this still being a rebuilding franchise, 2017 seems like the year where their development could take a big leap forward. Not only will it be the first full season for the reigning first overall pick in Simmons, but they’ll likely be able to add some prime talent in the next Draft, while Luwawu and, ideally, Korkmaz would both be able to make impressions in the rotation.

There’s little certainty in regards to Korkmaz’s status at this point. Could he turn into another Dario Saric situation where he remains overseas for a few years? It’s most definitely a possibility, but given his immediate utility with the team and different standing with his organization overseas, it’s difficult for me to picture him taking quite as long.

Both Luwawu and Korkmaz, from a raw talent perspective, were top 20 additions in the 2016 class, and Ben Simmons has the awe-inspiring skill set that comes with being an elite 6-10 point forward. The upcoming season is going to be one of continuing improvement for the Sixers, and there’s a good chance that comes with the coming out party per say of their most recent draft haul.

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Ben Simmons is set to emerge as a cornerstone alongside Embiid

Despite being likely the least overlooked of the bunch, many still have been too caught up in the Joel Embiid whirlwind to really interpret just how massive Ben Simmons’ return really will be. He never made the impression that he was ready to take over a team during his stint at LSU, but he doesn’t need to with Embiid on the roster–and his talent is indicative of somebody capable of doing so eventually.

Standing at 6-10, 240 pounds, Simmons is already an elite athletic presence. He can cover multiple positions defensively while manning multiple spots on offense, giving Brett Brown a rare breath of versatility into the rotation.

He has the potential to be their primary ball handler while giving Embiid an elite co-rebounding presence on the boards. His aggressiveness is still a work in progress, but he showed subtle signs of improvement during Summer League play that gives good reason for optimism.

Embiid has emerged as the forefront of this franchise as a whole, and as long as he’s healthy I don’t expect that to change. Simmons, however, has the type of elite potential to develop into a legitimate star by NBA standards.

The LeBron James and Magic Johnson comparisons weren’t just random names thrown around without merit. There is only a handful of players with the combination of physical tools and advanced basketball skills Simmons brings to the court, and that’s something that will be on full display by next season, if not the end of this season.

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Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot could emerge as a key cog on the wing

I was extremely high on TLC coming into the campaign, and although he may not realize that potential this season, his second campaign with the team could prove to be an entirely different situation. There are few 3-and-D prospects with Luwawu’s athleticism and explosiveness who get dropped to the mid-20s on draft night, and he’s someone that could break out when given the chance.

The Sixers’ wing situation, although better in some ways, has still been largely underwhelming this year. Robert Covington has been off-and-on all season, and is struggling to establish himself as a viable long term solution.

On top of that, even the improvements seen from Nik Stauskas and Hollis Thompson aren’t enough to make me consider them long term solutions in their own right. There’s a lot left to be desired outside of Gerald Henderson‘s veteran leadership at the two right now, and Luwawu could help provide that.

As a team that has struggled all year to defend the perimeter, Luwawu’s defensive prowess is what gives me confidence in his ability to carve out a hefty niche in 2017. He’s an excellent athlete with underrated instincts on that side of the ball. He can cover either wing position effectively, and excels at getting into passing lanes and turning offensive mishaps into easy transition baskets going the other way.

He has shown some more poise in the halfcourt than he did overseas during the limited time he’s seen in Summer League and preseason play, and has at the very least established the type of 3-point shot that should reassure his chances given the inconsistencies throughout the Sixers’ rotation in that department.

This is a team without a clear answer at the three or the two moving forwards, and I genuinely believe that Luwawu has the potential to be one of those answers. He’ll need to make some improvements over the course of this season without question, but all the tools are there. He’s an improving floor spacer, explosive cutter, and budding defensive stud if put into the right situation.

He’s someone who really shouldn’t be undervalued as part of Philadelphia’s future.

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If he’s here, Furkan Korkmaz could be a starting caliber player

This one obviously hinges on whether or not we see the Sixers’ 26th overall pick in Philadelphia next season, but the potential — if he is — is noteworthy. Korkmaz came into the draft as a sharpshooting prospect, but has a range of offensive skills that give him a much higher upside than your typical 3-point specialist. Philadelphia, of all teams, could greatly benefit from what he brings to the table.

Korkmaz is a smooth, fluid athlete who plays extremely well at different speeds. He can move well in the halfcourt and free himself up for shots on the perimeter, or trail behind in transition and knock down threes on the fastbreak. With the team still revolving heavily around the interior with Embiid and Simmons, an athlete with Korkmaz’s potential as a shooter is an enticing option on the outside.

At 6-8, his physical tools are surprisingly nice for the two-guard. He’s too thin to guard small forwards at the moment, but is a fairly explosive athlete off the bounce when he wants to be. He can cover a lot of ground with long strides, and has the ability to put the ball on the floor and create angles off the bounce when given the chance.

All the Kyle Korver and Marco Bellineli comparisons heading into draft night really didn’t do Korkmaz justice. While those are all fine options on the perimeter, his skill set is a bit more all-encompassing on offense — and a lot of that went undetected by some.

If the Sixers don’t load up on a pair of guards in the 2017 draft and Korkmaz makes his way to the United States, don’t be surprised if Gerald Henderson is pushed to a bench role. The upside with Korkmaz is much higher than that of a Stauskas or Thompson, and his future utility simply ranges far beyond that of Henderson.

He’s the least anticipated and least hyped of the Sixers’ trio of first picks at this point, but the Turkish wing is somebody well worth monitoring as somebody who could play a sizable role if he dons a Philadelphia 76ers jersey in 2017.

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The 2017-18 campaign could prove to be a crucial stage in Philly’s rebuild

Next season is, perhaps, the ultimate culmination of Sam Hinkie’s infamous “Process.” The team will, in an ideal world, have both Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons healthy to start the season alongside one, if not two, upper echelon lottery picks from a loaded 2017 NBA Draft class.

They’ll have a chance to truly balance out the rotation at a level they haven’t in previous seasons, as well as introduce a level of young talent that even the asset-driven Sixers haven’t sniffed yet during their extensive rebuild. Their next season will truly be a critical turning point in the development of this team, and the 2016 draft haul should be able to make their most sizable impression that year as a result.

Simmons will miss, at least, half of this season, while TLC will see the majority of his time either on the bench or with the Delaware 87ers by the looks of it. Korkmaz is set to play another year, at least with Anadolu Efes over in Turkey, rendering him irrelevant to the outcome of this season.

Next season is going to be when all the proverbial big guns come together — the Sixers will ideally solve their frontcourt problem by then, and their most prized assets from years of accumulation will finally be put on the court together. It’s an exciting time for Philadelphia 76ers fans, and their 2016 draftees should be a major part of that excitement. It’s just a matter of watching that excitement reach it’s peak next season, more so than 2016.