The Sixers look like an incredibly well-rounded team early in the season. The team’s depth though is still in question. Not in quantity nor in quality for that matter. The true issue is at one particular position.
Led by Shake Milton, the Sixers have some young guards who are extremely versatile but they are also a bit light at forward.
Furkan Korkmaz is the current back-up small forward but he’s currently injured. Matisse Thybulle can fill in and play the three. Doc also can utilize three-guard rotations. There still remains a noticeable issue at power forward.
Mike Scott is an okay(ish) depth piece but he is inconsistent and his $5m contract means that he could be an important trade piece for the team. Whether or not he’s moved though, an upgrade could be considered by Daryl Morey and Co.
That upgrade could be former Philadelphia 76er, Ersan Ilyasova.
A Familiar Face
Ilyasova has played for the Sixers on two separate occasions both during the 2016-17 season and again in the 2017-18 season. From the moment he suited up in red, white, and blue, Ilyasova looked like he was meant to be a Sixer.
The numbers always looked good for Ilyasova in Philly. He even averaged a career-high 14.8 points per game during the 2016-17 season. One of his most important contributions was his ability to shoot the deep ball.
Ilyasova shot roughly 36% from three during his Sixers stints which is right in line with his career average.
In addition to his shooting, Ilyasova was also a solid rebounder and did a very good job drawing offensive fouls. In fact, Ilyasova is one of, if not the, greatest the NBA has ever seen at taking a charge.
What’s Ilyasova Been Up To
After his second season in Philly, Ilyasova returned to Milwaukee for his third stint with the Bucks. He was a solid contributor in both the regular and postseason but saw a severely reduced role in the bubble.
Ilyasova was released in the offseason by the Bucks after the failed Bogdan Bogdanovich trade.
He is somehow still a free agent after contributing 6.6 points and 4.8 rebounds on 36.5% shooting from deep for the contending Milwaukee Bucks.
The More The Merrier
Once again the Sixers have some impressive young depth. Shake Milton and Tyrese Maxey in particular have looked impressive. The void at power forward still exists and Ilyasova could improve that situation.
He wouldn’t immediately launch the Sixers into Finals contention but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be a “difference-maker”.
Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire
