By Darien May, Sports Talk Philly Writer 
I’ve been spending a substantial amount of time assessing the state of this team. I wholeheartedly believe that, while there is plenty of joyous 76er potential to be elated about, there is also an absolute multitude of things to ridicule. So, I’m dedicating this article to the roster and what I would do with our players if the powers of general manager were to be bestowed upon me.
The Players
Jerryd Bayless (28): Signed deal for 3-yr/$27M on contract thru 2019
There aren’t many players on this roster that the 76ers are invested in financially, but Jerryd is one of them and happens to be the highest paid as well. We’re four games into the season and we have yet to see Jerryd suit up as a 76er. But, we know what Jerryd is and we know what he will be. No anonymity surrounds his game, when he returns he will give us what we desperately need in floor spacing and a consistent three ball. We honor all three years of his contract, whether he’s a producer or not, we need a veteran presence in a locker room that is chock full of inexperience.
Gerald Henderson (28): Signed 2-yr/18m guaranteed for $1M until June 30, 2017
Gerald Henderson is another veteran we signed this summer on a team friendly deal. He is a consummate professional and is a player in which you can tell the young guys respect immensely. In my estimation, he has played just about as well as anybody had predicted he would and that’s fine. Gerald is averaging 9.5ppg but again, I believe his biggest contribution will come off the court. Coaching these young men on how to operate as professionals just as Elton Brand did, his production is a bonus. We honor his contract, which is to my understanding, a two-year deal with a team option in the 2nd year.
Ersan Ilyasova (29): On contract thru 2016-2017 and is owed $8.4M
Ersan is our newest addition, having been brought in via trade for a protected 1st round pick in 2020 and Jerami Grant. Grant was maybe my favorite of all the process soldiers but I understand the deal. Ersan, a road warrior, having been on eight teams since 2005 comes in on the last year of a contract that he signed back in 2012. What does he give us? In Ben Simmons’ absence, floor spacing is a desperate need and something we struggle with; he opens the floor with a consistent three ball. Giving us another stretch four to pair with Jahlil Okafor off the bench. In the last year of his contract, I think you see how he produces and make your move from there. We don't know how he's gonna mesh with our team just yet, if he produces and is a valuable stretch four, re-sign, if he doesn't then it's no harm no foul.
Sergio Rodriguez (30): On contract thru 2016-2017 is owed $8M
El Chacho! Sergio has been stellar thus far after having been rather underwhelming during the preseason. He has done an outstanding job at distributing and making the offense look like an actual offense, something we haven’t seen at the helm in years. Averaging 12ppg and 7.5apg on a one-year deal for $8N, I would choose to extend Rodriguez at the end of the season. A team-friendly extension for two years would be extremely ideal. He and Bayless can play off one another, being that Bayless has the capabilities of a small two man. Also, I want to grab our point guard of the future in this years’ 2017 draft, Sergio would be a great mentor in the locker room and on the floor.
Ben Simmons: (20): Signed rookie scale deal, 2018-19 and 2019-20 are team options
Never let him leave the city of the Philadelphia, ever. Not sure how this city would react to a Kevin Durant situation but after witnessing the likes of Durant and Lebron turn heel after becoming frustrated with front office ineptitude, anything is possible. We need to do whatever it takes to make him a lifer.
Joel Embiid (22): Signed rookie scale deal August 26, 2014, 2017-18 team option picked up on October 26, 2016.
I’ll keep this short. Joel has continued his outstanding play thru three games, averaging 17.3ppg and leading all rookies in scoring, rebounds and blocks. Again, he’s another player that you never let leave this city. I’d be extremely flabbergasted if he ever chose to turn his back on an organization and fan base that believed in him when everyone else branded him a bust but again, anything is possible. His happiness is our main concern, do whatever it takes to keep him in Philadelphia.
Jahlil Okafor (20): Signed rookie scale contract on July 7, 2015. 2017-18 team option exercised on October 26, 2016.
A polarizing piece in the log jam of big men that burdens our roster. The third pick in the 2015 draft didn’t have a terrible rookie season as he averaged 17.5ppg and 7.0rpg, albeit on a ten win team. Jahlil has his defensive deficiencies but with that being said he is only 20 years old and I for one am not quite ready to part ways with this asset. We have him on contract through 2018 and who knows what he can become. There is still room for growth. Right now, he’s not a terrible option to have coming off the bench to spell Embiid, but we’ll see how long he is open to playing second fiddle. For the time being, that is his role moving forward. He’s shown that he wants to be here and he shown that he is willing to work on improving his game, only time will tell what he will be in the long run but that’s something we have an ample amount of at this point.
Nerlens Noel (22): On contract thru 2016-2017 is owed $4.3M
The second polarizing piece of the big man log jam. Nerlens Noel has every single right to be frustrated with this franchise and I don’t blame him one bit for feeling the way that he does. After trading Jrue Holiday for Noel at the 2013 draft. Sam Hinkie then went on to draft another center in 2014 in Joel Embiid and ANOTHER center in 2015 in Okafor. Nerlens feels disenfranchised, he’s heard rumors all summer that either he or Okafor were going to be dealt and now he wants out. He has made it known that a change needs to be made on media day and he’s correct. He’s on the last year of his contract and will 100 percent walk during free agency if the Sixers don't trade him. You can either wait until the year has concluded and let him walk and get nothing or you can trade him before the deadline in February and at least get something in return. If it’s me, I trade him, without a shadow of a doubt. Both parties get what they desire, we get something in return and he gets a much-needed change of scenery. Do the deal.
Nik Stauskas (23): 2017-18 team option exercised on October 26, 2016.
Sauce Castillo. The 76ers acquired Nik via the fleecing of the Sacramento Kings that involved a plethora of picks in 2015, the most famous being this year’s capability to swap first round selections. That’s all I have for you, that’s all the good that came from that deal. Most presumed Nik would finally fill that void at the two-man slot and give us our shooting guard of the future, we, for the most part have been wrong in that esteem. He has been wildly inconsistent and hasn’t resembled who he was at the University of Michigan in the slightest, nowhere near the caliber of player that got him selected #8 overall. We’re on the hook for Stauskas through 2018 and if at that time he hasn’t improved, then we have no other choice but to move on
Dario Saric (22): Signed rookie scale contract on July 15, 2016, on contract thru 2019-20.
The Homie, another crown jewel of 2014 draft. Dario is averaging 11.3ppg and is second in scoring among all rookies. He is coming along just fine and I believe him to be a very important key to our long-term success. We need to make it a point to keep him around as long as we possibly can, his game will only and continue to grow over the years. The perfect complement to Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (21): Signed rookie scale deal on July 2, 2016. 2018-19 and 2019-20 are team options.
TLC is very tantalizing prospect. Having not played against top tier competition during his time overseas his early struggles are of no surprise. He is a project with tremendous bang or bust potential, one that we have the time to invest in. Whether it be in practice or in the NBDL.
Richaun Holmes (23): Signed 4-year deal on July 30, 2015 (2015-16 and 2016-17 guaranteed; 2017-18 partially guaranteed and 2018-19 team option).
Holmes was a 2nd round steal and is on a cheap deal thru 2019. While he still has much to work on, he offers a much-needed spark off the bench when spelling either Embiid or Okafor. He’s not going to complain about his role, he’s a blue-collar guy who does whatever the team asks of him. He supplies us with high octane dunks and blocks from time to time on a team where rim protection is much needed. Good asset.
Hollis Thompson (25): On contract thru 2016-17 is owed $1m
Our most tenured 76er, Hollis has been a great process soldier but I think it’s time for us to part ways. He’s on the last year of his contract and we have more than enough cap space to go out and get a player during FA that is far more talented and won’t break the bank.
Robert Covington (25): 2016-17 guaranteed for $50K until January 10, 2017; 2017-18 unguaranteed until 8/9/17, then guaranteed for $53K until 1/10/18
We’re on the hook for Covington thru 2018. He’s a very solid 3 and D guy but if we’re being honest, I’m not sure that if he’s a starter on many or if any other teams besides ours. He’s gone scoreless in two of four games just this year, I’m not saying that we let him walk in 2018 but I am saying I’m not sure if I want him in my starting lineup for too much longer. Only extend him we haven’t yet signed or drafted a more viable option at small forward come 2018. Not opposed to him coming off the bench as well.
T.J. McConnell (24): Signed thru 2016-17, minimum salary.
Another great process soldier but we should move on from him as well. His contract expires at the conclusion of this year and we should let him seek out other opportunities. We will more than likely be grabbing our point guard of the future in this year’s draft and there just won’t be enough minutes to go around. It would only be fair to let T.J. have his fair shake at the free agnet market.
Contract data pulled from Basketball Reference
If everything holds up as is, we will have the most cap space available of any team at the end of this season. It’s time to start competing for real and with real NBA players. With Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, attracting other talent shouldn’t be as hard as previous years. After this season, mediocrity should no longer be expected and/or tolerated.
