3 Sixers players who deserve more attention entering 2023-24 season

76ers player who deserves attention: 1. Jaden Springer

Denizens of Springer Island, rejoice! Your time is near. The Sixers selected Jaden Springer out of Tennessee with the No. 28 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. At the time, he was the youngest player on the board — billed as a project who would require several years of gestation before blossoming into a two-way force of nature.

Springer should have been a lottery pick in this writer’s book, and while the last couple years have been broadly disappointing for the impatient members of Philly’s fanbase, Springer is starting to show signs of his imminent arrival. There are still myriad flaws to iron out, but the man is 20 years old. He’s younger than several 2023 lottery picks. Patience is, in fact, a virtue.

Nick Nurse got a firsthand look at Springer while coaching the Summer League squad. While there are still valid concerns about Springer’s ability to contribute offensively in the NBA, the defense is rock solid. Nurse is a defense-first coach and the Sixers could be looking at a thin guard rotation depending on the outcome of a potential Harden trade. For the first time in Springer’s career, it feels like there’s a real path to opportunity.

He’s only 6-foot-4, but Springer is built like a linebacker. He’s strong as hell at the point of attack and he’s a sneakily bouncy defender. Springer will climb the ladder for blocks and he’s a pest in passing lanes, possessing tremendous instincts for such a young guard. He’s already a bonafide defensive playmaker and he’s probably one of the Sixers’ best point-of-attack options. He should shadow Patrick Beverley all season.

The offensive questions marks will persist, but Springer is fairly good at using his strength to carve out space and fight through contact on drives to the rim. He’s a below-the-rim guard at 6-foot-4 and he doesn’t shoot the 3 close to well enough, but there’s enough there to hope. If he can supply enough simple finishes and connective passing, his defense should be enough to make Springer a prospect of interest for Philly fans moving forward. He’s approaching a critical point in his rookie contract. Sooner or later, the Sixers need to see what they’ve got in real games.