76ers hindsight hypothetical

[CFAN38]

I came up with a really random thought involving the roster construction of the 76ers.

They obviously have two legit but flawed super star caliber players in Simmons and Embiid. My question is what if they took a different approach to the development of Simmons. They where quick to make it clear that he was their PG and have built a roster around the idea that Simmons is their primary initiator.

What if they took a different approach and early on paired him with a PG who shared the offensive initiation with BS and at the same time created a roster where BS was the only non shooter on the court? On the defensive end it feels like he is being miscast with the roster construction around him.

I imagine a lineup modeled after the 2015 Warriors but with Simmons taking Greens role and a less dominate PG then Curry could be really effective.

Maybe something like this

PG Conley (instead of signing Al)
SG Thompson (or equivalent spacing SG who is high level defender) (obtained in Embiid trade)
SF T Harris
PF Simmons
C   low cost starter (Baynes, Lopez, Mcgee, etc)
6th Covington

This would allow the 76ers to play a warriors style "death lineup" with Covington at the 4 and Simmons at the small ball point 5.

Would this be better than their current roster?

[footey]

Somewhere in there did you propose trading Embiid for Klay Thompson?

[Jvalin]

Imo, Simmons would be at his best if he were used as a Point Center.

- Magic was a PG on offense, but he was mostly guarding PFs on defense.

- Luka is a PG on offense, but he's a wing on defense.

- Likewise, Simmons is a PG on offense, but he's a PF/small ball Center on defense.

Obviously, the Sixers already have Embiid, hence they cannot play Simmons at the 5.

PG Conley (instead of signing Al)
SG Thompson (or equivalent spacing SG who is high level defender) (obtained in Embiid trade)
SF T Harris
PF Simmons
C   low cost starter (Baynes, Lopez, Mcgee, etc)
6th Covington

PG: Conley (instead of signing Al)
SG: Thompson (or equivalent spacing SG who is high level defender) (obtained in Embiid trade)
SF: Harris
PF: Covington
C: Simmons

Or how about something like this?

PG: Smart
SG: Brown
SF: Hayward
PF: Tatum
C: Simmons

(assuming we sacrifice Kemba + pick(s)/prospect(s) for Simmons)

[CFAN38]

Somewhere in there did you propose trading Embiid for Klay Thompson?

point of the post wasn't really proposing trades just a different way the roster could have (and probably should have) been constructed. I did wash over how that roster would have been constructed.

At this point I am not sure Simmons would accept the role I propose but if he did an Embiid for Beal + asset trade and a Horford for Conley trade would bring the roster roughly together. 

[CFAN38]

Imo, Simmons would be at his best if he were used as a Point Center.

- Magic was a PG on offense, but he was mostly guarding PFs on defense.

- Luka is a PG on offense, but he's a wing on defense.

- Likewise, Simmons is a PG on offense, but he's a PF/small ball Center on defense.

PG Conley (instead of signing Al)
SG Thompson (or equivalent spacing SG who is high level defender) (obtained in Embiid trade)
SF T Harris
PF Simmons
C   low cost starter (Baynes, Lopez, Mcgee, etc)
6th Covington

PG: Conley (instead of signing Al)
SG: Thompson (or equivalent spacing SG who is high level defender) (obtained in Embiid trade)
SF: Harris
PF: Covington
C: Simmons

Or how about something like this?

PG: Smart
SG: Brown
SF: Hayward
PF: Tatum
C: Simmons

(assuming we sacrifice Kemba + pick(s)/prospect(s) for Simmons)

I agree Simmons as at the 5 during critical points in a game would be a match-up nightmare. 

[Monkhouse]

Imo, Simmons would be at his best if he were used as a Point Center.

- Magic was a PG on offense, but he was mostly guarding PFs on defense.

- Luka is a PG on offense, but he's a wing on defense.

- Likewise, Simmons is a PG on offense, but he's a PF/small ball Center on defense.

Obviously, the Sixers already have Embiid, hence they cannot play Simmons at the 5.

PG Conley (instead of signing Al)
SG Thompson (or equivalent spacing SG who is high level defender) (obtained in Embiid trade)
SF T Harris
PF Simmons
C   low cost starter (Baynes, Lopez, Mcgee, etc)
6th Covington

PG: Conley (instead of signing Al)
SG: Thompson (or equivalent spacing SG who is high level defender) (obtained in Embiid trade)
SF: Harris
PF: Covington
C: Simmons

Or how about something like this?

PG: Smart
SG: Brown
SF: Hayward
PF: Tatum
C: Simmons

(assuming we sacrifice Kemba + pick(s)/prospect(s) for Simmons)

I'm 100% behind Simmons. I don't get the conceptual dislike for him. Yes, he has an ego problem, but he's also one of the best point forwards right now.

[gouki88]

Imo, Simmons would be at his best if he were used as a Point Center.

- Magic was a PG on offense, but he was mostly guarding PFs on defense.

- Luka is a PG on offense, but he's a wing on defense.

- Likewise, Simmons is a PG on offense, but he's a PF/small ball Center on defense.

Obviously, the Sixers already have Embiid, hence they cannot play Simmons at the 5.

PG Conley (instead of signing Al)
SG Thompson (or equivalent spacing SG who is high level defender) (obtained in Embiid trade)
SF T Harris
PF Simmons
C   low cost starter (Baynes, Lopez, Mcgee, etc)
6th Covington

PG: Conley (instead of signing Al)
SG: Thompson (or equivalent spacing SG who is high level defender) (obtained in Embiid trade)
SF: Harris
PF: Covington
C: Simmons

Or how about something like this?

PG: Smart
SG: Brown
SF: Hayward
PF: Tatum
C: Simmons

(assuming we sacrifice Kemba + pick(s)/prospect(s) for Simmons)

I'm 100% behind Simmons. I don't get the conceptual dislike for him. Yes, he has an ego problem, but he's also one of the best point forwards right now.

I don’t like him because he hasn’t improved in any way on offence since his rookie campaign. Marginally better free throw shooter (still bad), and slightly more efficient, but that’s it. Makes me question his work ethic