Sixers Keep Or Pass Part 2: Who The Sixers Retain For Next Season
By Ray Boyd
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It's time for Part 2 of our look at the 15 players that finished the season with the Sixers and what players make sense to bring back next season. When you finish the season with only 18 wins, no player is particularly safe, but it is up to Sam Hinkie and Brett Brown to identify the building blocks for the future.
Let's take a look at five more names on the Sixers roster and play some more "Sixers Keep or Pass."
C/PF Furkan Aldemir: KEEP
There really is no statistical based reason to keep Aldemir around for next season. He joined the Sixers during the regular season after coming to the NBA following contract issues in Turkey. Aldemir was touted as a top-notch rebounder and he delivered in that realm. He averaged 4.3 rebounds per game despite only averaging 13.2 minutes per night.
The problem is Aldemir does not really excel in any other way. He is not much of a scorer as his 2.3 points per game average will show. He also is not an imposing rim protector and lacks athleticism. You're wondering why I see him as a keeper.
The bottom line is Aldemir signed a four-year, $12 million deal when he came to the Sixers. He is owed money through the end of the 2017-18 season. The Sixers could get out of that deal if they really want to, but that long-term commitment could earn Aldemir another season in Philadelphia.
PG/SG Tony Wroten: KEEP
Be honest. Did you forget about Wroten? Hopefully you didn't. Wroten is only 22 years old and is about to enter his fourth NBA season. The Sixers back court will get an immediate upgrade just by having a healthy Wroten to start next season.
Wroten suffered a partial ACL tear and only played 30 games for the Sixers last season. He averaged career highs in points, steals, assists and minutes during that stretch.
The focus for Wroten was for him to slow down his game and focus on finishing at the basket to take full advantage of his above-average size and athleticism. It seemed to be a personal goal for Brett Brown to turn Wroten in to a more secure ball-handler and that project should continue next season.
SF Robert Covington: KEEP
Covington was the find of the season for the Sixers. Not too many teams pull a double-digit scorer and solid three-point shooter from the D-League, but somehow the Sixers did. Covington averaged 13.5 points on the season and played in 70 games for the Sixers while starting in 49.
He showed as the season progressed that he was more than a spot up three-point shooter. Covington has a solid pump fake and can get to the rim and use his size to finish around bigger defenders. There is a lot to work on still. He can develop a lot as a defender and as a ball handler.
The Sixers would be wise to continue developing Covington's game.
PG Ish Smith: PASS
NBA journeyman Ish Smith had a 25-game long cup of coffee with the Sixers this past season. He certainly endeared himself to the fan base in his short stint with the team. Smith proved capable of playing the pick and roll with Nerlens Noel perhaps more effectively than any point guard to play for the Sixers last season (there were a lot of them).
Smith averaged 12 points per game to go along with 6.1 assists.
While Smith did nothing wrong in his time with the Sixers, he is not under contract with the team for next year and the Sixers have a lot of routes to go when it comes to the point guard position. Smith could be an option if the team winds up not addressing the position in the draft, but do not be surprised if that position continues to be a revolving door.
C Henry Sims: PASS
Sims has played admirably since coming to the Sixers during the 2013-14 campaign in a trade with the Cavaliers. He started for the Sixers 32 times in 2014-15, but also racked up a few DNP's in the second half of the season and saw minutes cut from him as the Sixers looked at other big men.
Brown commended Sims for his professionalism during those times, but it doesn't appear to be the best situation when your minutes are decreasing when you need a new contract for the upcoming season.
Sims averaged 8.0 points and 4.9 rebounds in 2014-15. Despite his reliable play, the Sixers will have to create minutes for Joel Embiid next season and will more than likely add more big men with their multiple draft selections.
Check out Part 1 of Sixers Keep or Pass and stick with CBSPhilly.com for Part 3 later this week
