There have been plenty of memorable quotes from Philadelphia 76ers fans over the years and there were plenty more when they found out that the No. 1 overall pick from the 2016 NBA Draft Ben Simmons would miss an extended period of time due to injury. The term used the most was the rookie’s initials: BS. Simmons will miss at least the next three months with a fracture in his right foot and team president Bryan Colangelo said it could be a lot longer than that as the 76ers will be in no rush to bring him back this season. With Simmons sidelined, there will be opportunity for other players on the roster to step up and show what they can do. Who will take advantage of the situation in Philadelphia this season to improve their NBA fantasy stock? Here is a look at four players from the 76ers that will benefit from Simmons’ injury.
Joel Embiid
All eyes will now be on the other 76ers first round pick that will be making his debut this season in Embiid. The third-overall pick from the 2014 NBA Draft will finally make his debut this season after spending the past couple of years recovering from injuries and developing his skill set within the organization. The organization is thrilled about Embiid’s progress behind closed doors and are excited about his potential now that he is finally ready to make his debut. Philadelphia is extremely stacked up front where Embiid will compete for minutes with Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor at least initially but Simmons’ injury should mean more touches for the 22-year-old and more opportunity to show what he can do at the offensive end of the floor.
Jerami Grant
The 76ers’ second round pick from 2014 could very well slide over and take Simmons’ spot in the starting lineup to start the season. There has been some talk about Grant playing point guard, shooting guard and small forward and Simmons’ injury will only improve his potential exposure. Grant will produce some highlight reel plays while continuing to improve his numbers after averaging 9.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in 26.8 minutes per game last season. The third-year pro could be on the verge of a breakout season in NBA fantasy.
Robert Covington
Covington will also see more playing time at the small forward position after averaging 28.4 minutes last season. Covington impressed in his third year with 12.8 points including 2.5 three-point shots, 6.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. Now the former undrafted free agent will get the opportunity to play big minutes at the three and potentially even more minutes at the four. Head coach Brett Brown loves Covington’s defense and his two-way ability and versatility could make him a big minute guy for the 76ers with Simmons sidelined for at least the first few months of the season.
Nik Stauskas
There will definitely be more opportunity across the board in Philadelphia this season and that will mean more touches at the offensive end of the floor for a player like Stauskas. The 76ers will rely on the 2014 first round pick to stretch the floor with his three-point shot and provide a more dynamic offensive punch now that they won’t get that from Simmons. Stauskas averaged 8.5 points including 1.5 three-point shots in 24.8 minutes per game last season and should benefit from more playing time with Simmons sidelined for the first few months of the season.
Dario Saric
Although Saric is a forward, he will still see extended playing time with Simmons out. Saric is a former 76ers first-round lottery pick who stayed overseas for two years and is now just coming back to the NBA. Saric made his debut in preseason action this week and scored 10 points while collecting six rebounds, a pair of assists and one block. That line gives you an idea of what he might be capable of in NBA fantasy: contributions across the board. He’s still a big wild card and someone that you probably wouldn’t draft in NBA fantasy, but it’s worth keeping an eye on him on the waiver wire. He could emerge given the added playing time.
