Nerlens Noel, Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons.
Zhaire Smith?
A few recent 76ers first-round picks missed their entire first professional season due to injury. Smith, the No. 16 pick in last year’s draft could join them.
Smith has missed the entire season so far with a broken foot then allergic reaction. He just returned to practicing with the 76ers, but maybe not in time to play for them this season.
Keith Pompey of The Inquirer:
Brett Brown doesn’t expect @zhaire_smith to play for the #Sixers this season. The hope is for him to play some games for the @blue_coats.
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) February 20, 2019
If the 76ers clinch their playoff seed before the regular season ends, I wouldn’t be surprised if Smith plays for them. But meaningful minutes seem unlikely.
Philadelphia is trying to win now, and a rookie who entered the NBA relatively raw then missed so much time is unlikely to help.
That said, backup wings James Ennis and Jonathon Simmons aren’t exactly reliable options. If everything breaks right for Smith – essentially the opposite of his season to date – maybe, just maybe, he plays for the 76ers this season.
