5 Philadelphia 76ers With the Most to Gain From a Good Training Camp
5 Players With Most to Gain From Training Camp
The time is finally here. Yesterday, the Philadelphia 76ers kicked off training camp in preparation for the 2013 NBA season. The Sixers are in rebuild mode after a disastrous 2012 season. They have a new coach in Brett Brown, a new general manager in Sam Hinkie and only seven players that were even on last year’s roster.
Because of all this change, many of the Sixers roster spots and playing time itself are up for grabs and that is why the next month of training camp and preseason will be so important.
The Sixers return some of their top scorers from last season including Evan Turner, Thaddeus Young and Spencer Hawes. But they have lost All-Star Jrue Holiday via trade and let Nick Young and Dorrell Wright leave via free agency.
The Sixers have brought an absurd 20 players to training camp, and the roster will be cut down to 15 before opening night. Given the long list on injuries already, the Sixers need all the bodies they can find. Nerlens Noel, Arnett Moultrie and Jason Richardson will all be on the roster, but will not suit up anytime soon because of injury. So that leaves 12 players left to make the team, and the injuries could open up opportunities for some guys to catch on this season.
The Sixers are a young team and a team that is in the middle of a lot of change. This year’s training camp will be very competitive between the guys as many are young players trying to make a name for themselves. Here are five players with the most to gain from a training camp.
Zach Slotter is a contributor for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @zslot6, Like his Facebook page and add him on Google.
5. Tony Wroten
Wroten was pretty much written off after he struggled during his rookie season. The Sixers acquired him via trade and he will be competing with Darius Morris for the backup point guard spot behind Michael Carter-Williams. Wroten needs a good camp to beat out the more experienced Morris and he needs to show an improved jump shot.
4. Mac Koshwal
You would think that there’s no chance Koshwal makes the opening night roster, but you never know with the injuries. Spencer Hawes can’t log all of the minutes, and I’m sure Hinkie would rather see one of these young guys step up so he can waive Kwame Brown. Koshwal averaged over 16 points and 10 rebounds in his final season of college, and an impressive showing at training camp could help him catch on with the Sixers or even another team.
3. Lavoy Allen
Allen is going to get his chance to play almost by default with all of the injuries up front. After a disappointing sophomore season, he needs to have a good camp simply to build some momentum heading into the regular season. He is in a contract year and has to play better, or he might not find a job next season.
2. Khalif Wyatt
The Sixers brought Wyatt in after an impressive stint with their summer league team. The team lacks a true shooting guard they would be better as a unit if they found one. This way Turner can move to the small forward and Thad can play power forward. Wyatt has the chance to not only make this team, but earn himself a ton of minutes with a good camp.
1. Royce White
With all of the injuries in the frontcourt, Royce White could actually play a role with this team if he can get his anxiety disorder under control. The Sixers should do everything in their power to get White to play, and if he is able to have a good camp, he could play heavy minutes if he chooses to.
