The James Harden drama notwithstanding, the Sixers have a pretty good grasp on their top six or seven players.
Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris and Harden (if he’s here and wants to play) will be in the starting lineup. New head coach Nick Nurse has hinted that he might not roll with last year’s starting lineup, but assuredly the fifth starter will be one of P.J. Tucker or De’Anthony Melton. Whichever of those two is not a starter will be the team’s unquestioned top reserve.
Given how well Paul Reed has played the last couple games — and how much Mo Bamba has struggled — it feels safe to say that Reed will go into this season as Embiid’s primary backup.