Sixers Pre-camp Questions: Can Retooled 2nd Unit Get The Job Done In Playoffs?

Sixers pre-camp questions: Can retooled 2nd unit get the job done in playoffs?  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers’ new era is on deck.

With LeBron James and Jaylen Brown on board and training camp set to begin in late September, we’re taking a look at key questions for the 2026-27 Sixers. 

We’ve asked: 

• Just how dramatic of an impact will James make?
• What role will Brown play on his new team?
• Will the Sixers be healthy when it matters? 
• Who will the Sixers run their late-game offense through?

Next up: Can the Sixers’ retooled second unit get the job done in the playoffs? 

The Sixers’ offseason transformation wasn’t solely about the stars. Dean Wade, Anfernee Simons, Ariel Hukporti, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and rookie Labaron Philon Jr. are all new bench pieces. 

The 33-year-old Caldwell-Pope is hoping to earn a third NBA championship. Hukporti won his first title as the third-string center on the 2025-26 Knicks. 

The Sixers have also added a pair of new two-way contract players in Caleb Love and Rayan Rupert. Their third two-way slot remains open. Tacko Fall, Jameer Nelson Jr. and Dillon Jones are among the players who have signed Exhibit 10 deals with the team.  

Sixers head coach Nick Nurse will work to land on optimal rotations. He likely won’t start with perfection, although the clarity of Wade and Simons’ roles should help. 

Both Wade and Simons project to be integral, every-game bench players when they’re available. Wade’s main tasks will be playing stellar, dogged on-ball defense and sinking open jumpers. Simons will be asked to launch three-pointers and mesh smoothly with his fellow guards. He averaged 14.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game last season in 24.9 minutes per game.

The 27-year-old is eager to play with starters Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. 

“Just helping them out as much as I can,” Simons said in a July virtual press conference, “whether it’s handling the ball or being off the ball, giving them space to work. … Just doing whatever it takes for us to be successful as a team. People say Tyrese had a big workload the last couple years — him and VJ. I’m just here to help them in any way they need to relieve some pressure.” 

As far as both simple shotmaking and team spacing, Simons’ deep range should benefit the Sixers. 

He attempted 5.5 shots per game between 25 and 29 feet last year (and made 38.0 percent). For a player who averaged under 25 minutes, that’s quite a high number. All-Star guards Anthony Edwards and Jamal Murray also attempted 5.5 jumpers per game from the same range.

Simons last played in February because he aggravated a left wrist fracture, but he said in July that he was “fine” physically.

“ I’m pretty much completely healed now,” Simons said. “I haven’t felt it in a long time, so there’s no concern with that.” 

Philon is another bench guard worth highlighting, especially given that Nurse on draft night called the Alabama product “talented enough to play” as a rookie. 

The shifty 20-year-old showed off all sorts of offensive skills as a college sophomore, posting 22.0 points and 5.0 assists per game. His efficiency dipped in summer league, but Philon still impressed over four games in Las Vegas and averaged 18.5 points, 5.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds.

“I think he’s another fast, exciting guy that kind of plays a lot like Tyrese and VJ,” Nurse said. “The speed, athleticism, quickness, deep range, the creativity with the ball. He’s a pretty good pick-and-roll player already, probably more advanced than a lot of guys coming into the NBA. We’ll have to see. … I think it’s just another really fast, exciting guy.”

We imagine Philon will have regular-season opportunities to prove he deserves consistent rotation minutes. Perhaps the No. 22 overall pick will capitalize and surge into the playoff spotlight much like Maxey did as a rookie. 

While Quentin Grimes, Andre Drummond and Trendon Watford departed the Sixers in free agency, Dominick Barlow, Adem Bona, Justin Edwards and Jabari Walker are back. 

Those four players all experienced playoff basketball for the first time last season. Walker was outside of Nurse’s rotation, but Barlow, Bona and Edwards each received meaningful minutes. 

For Barlow, the path to a greater role appears to be continued success as a hustling, savvy frontcourt player and significant strides as an outside shooter. Edwards will aim to be a dependable 3-and-D wing. Bona will try to reduce his unnecessary fouls while keeping the core of his energetic, rim-protecting game. He may very well compete with Hukporti for the No. 2 center spot behind Embiid. Anyone seeking to cement a place on the second unit will know that defensive rebounding matters and the Sixers must improve as a team in that department. 

The Sixers certainly might tinker with their bench personnel during the season, but they’ve got an intriguing mix of veterans and youngsters as things stand.

Just like with their starters, they’ve upgraded on the surface but will need to meet expectations once the games begin and thrive in the postseason.