3 Players 76ers Must Hold Onto Going Into Regular Season

Some bench players are starting to show their worth for this Philadelphia 76ers team. It's just preseason, but considering the amount of injuries they have, it’s important to find those diamonds in the rough. 

These are some of the players that are earning their keep and proving that if given the minutes, they can be an effective part of this team:

1. Jameer Nelson Jr.

Anfernee Simons is hurt with a hamstring. So this is the perfect time for the young guard to prove that he can handle the workload if Simons is out. Now, he may have to contend with the 22nd draft pick in Labaron Philon Jr, but he can definitely find a role. Nelson is a player who isn’t afraid of contact. He’ll go to the paint with reckless abandonment. This could lead to putting players in early foul trouble and allow for free points at the line. His ballhandling and vision are other components that put him in high regard. He’s seeing the floor well and making the right decision when the time suits it. 

2 Jabari Walker 

Despite the growing skepticism regarding the depth at center, Walker has made a nice splash. His high energy and scoring difficulty give him the upper hand on others; he can shoot and make his presence known in the paint. Walker’s natural position is small forward, which is where he should be, but injuries could push him out of position. He could do better as a rebounder, but he wrecks havoc if he gets himself in positions, and it could lead to second-chance points. 

3. Caleb Love

Love has been shooting the ball pretty well during the preseason. Love has scored 22 points throughout three games. Now that might not sound like much, but it’s the way that he’s scoring that’s impressive. He’s done it off the dribble, catch and shoot, and has driven to the basket. He can score at every level. He’s also a volume shooter, and those are the best players when you need to go on a run. If there was anything to complain about, it’s what he doesn’t do on the defensive end. It’s easy for him to get lost a bit, but that’s fixable. Overall, this could be a player to keep in the back pocket for a rainy day.

These three players are getting all the opportunities to make the most of their playing time, the way this team will have to utilize guards in a number of different ways, which bodes well for Love and Nelson. Walker being versatile for the center spot makes him valuable. It’s going to be hard to let any of these players go.