The 76ers are waiting for their point guard to get healthy.
No, not Jerryd Bayless.
Ben Simmons.
Jessica Camerato of CSN Philly:When Simmons is cleared, Brown has a vision of how to utilize the 6-foot-10 point-forward.
“My intention is to give him the ball and let him be the point guard,” Brown said. “That’s the plan. That doesn’t just happen. It takes a little bit of time to introduce him.”
76ers coach Brett Brown has previously mentioned using Simmons at point guard, but this sounds like that will be Simmons’ primary position.
This would help alleviate a frontcourt logjam so dense, not even trading a player – probably Nerlens Noel – would solve it. But it also comes with complications.
The No. 1 pick has tremendous ball-handling and passing skills, but his 6-foot-10 frame could make guarding opposing point guards difficult. It will take a well-crafted lineup around Simmons to make this work. So far, Philadelphia’s roster-building plan has been based on asset-accumulation.
There’s time to experiment, for the 76ers to learn what type of players would best complement Simmons as point guard. Whenever Simmons returns, that process can continue.