If the NBA is able to pull off its plan to complete the season in Orlando, life is going to be weird in the Disney “bubble.”
One of the many interesting features in the league’s protocols is the living arrangements. The Sixers are set to stay at the Grand Floridian Hotel along with the Thunder, Rockets, Nets, Pacers, Grizzlies, Magic and Mavs.
NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg looked at players the Celtics should “buddy up to” in the quasi-bubble, which got us thinking about the same topic for the Sixers.
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Though the Sixers have limited flexibility beyond this year because of the money they’ve committed to Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris and Al Horford, here are some players also assigned to stay at the Grand Floridian who it probably wouldn’t hurt to chat with:
Chris Paul
The 35-year-old serves as the president of the National Basketball Players Association and is clearly an influential off-court figure. He’s also the starting point guard for the Thunder, who the Sixers should be rooting for in Orlando. If Oklahoma City finishes with one of the league’s 11 best records, the Sixers will have a first-round pick in this year’s draft.
And yes, we imagine Paul, if he sees anything untoward, will use the anonymous hotline the NBA has created to report potential protocol violations, according to The Athletic. Getting on his good side probably wouldn't be a bad idea.
Ja Morant
Morant is the kind of player you should want to know. He should be the Rookie of the Year and is a dazzling, sensational young point guard who looks poised to be a face of the league for a long time. With a limited number of players expected to have permission to attend games in which they’re not participating, Grizzlies games should be a popular draw.
NBA
Spencer Dinwiddie
A trade involving Dinwiddie and Josh Richardson has always made sense as an idea the Sixers might want to explore. Beyond that, Dinwiddie is just a thoughtful, unique person and a constantly improving player. He’s had some big games against the Sixers, too.
Justin Holiday
First, it’s worth noting that Holiday is uncertain whether he’ll participate in the restarted season, per J. Michael of the Indianapolis Star. Players have until next Wednesday to decide whether to play. It’s our opinion that opting against joining the Disney bubble at a time in which important action is happening around issues of systemic racism and police brutality (and during a pandemic) would be a completely valid choice.
As far as on-court matters, Holiday could be on the Sixers’ radar in free agency, likely as a mid-level exception candidate. He’s shot 42.4 percent from three-point range this season and is a solid, versatile player.
D.J. Augustin
If they want to add a veteran into the backup point guard mix, the Sixers could target Augustin in free agency. A career 38.8 percent three-point shooter, he’d likely be a tier or two above Trey Burke and Raul Neto, neither of whom provided consistent rotation minutes this year. Perhaps he could be talked into Philly.
Former Sixers
There are a lot of old friends assigned to the Grand Floridian, among them Markelle Fultz, T.J. McConnell, Robert Covington, Nerlens Noel, Wilson Chandler and James Ennis.
Tobias Harris said Wednesday night in an interview with Ernie Johnson that he expects Boban Marjanovic to seek him out for some “Bobi and Tobi” action.
He claims he's not going to have any of it.
“I know Boban will be trying to communicate with me and trying to link up,” he said. “I’m going to have security make sure he’s not able to talk to me.”
Other former Sixers who might be walking around the hotel include Mike Muscala, Nikola Vucevic, Michael Carter-Williams, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and JaKarr Sampson. There should be plenty of reunion opportunities, just without any hugging.
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