There is a growing sentiment around the league that Pascal Siakam could be a Philadelphia 76er in 2024. Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report said on January 12th that Philadelphia was a team to watch in the Siakam trade deadline sweepstakes.
At first glance, Philadelphia’s interest in Pascal Siakam is logical, as he played under 76ers head coach Nick Nurse for five seasons with the Toronto Raptors. However, looking beneath the surface, statistics indicate that Pascal Siakam would not be used correctly as a Sixer.
Tobias Harris is a better player for the team than Pascal Siakam.
Nick Nurse has chosen to use franchise superstar Joel Embiid as an offensive hub this season. Embiid has received the basketball between the three-point and free-throw line on most offensive possessions this season.
Once Joel Embiid receives the basketball, he holds on to the ball for a few seconds until a teammate comes to him or cuts to the basket. For example, Embiid was standing at the free throw line midway through the first quarter of a home game against the Lakers on November 27th, 2023.
He received a pass from Nicolas Batum and held the ball until Tyrese Maxey was close enough for a dribble handoff. Maxey received the handoff and dribbled the ball towards the left wing before making a three.
Joel Embiid’s current role has him splitting over 50 percent of his offensive possessions among three different play types this season. He has spent at least seventeen percent of his possessions in the isolation, roll man, and post-up play types, averaging at least five possessions per game in each category.
Pascal Siakam’s potential role on the 76ers
Consequently, several of his teammates spend a significant portion of their offensive possessions as floor spacers. Marcus Morris, Nicolas Batum, and Tobias Harris have taken at least 25% of their shots from behind the arc, averaging 2.3, 3, and 3.4 per game, respectively.
Unfortunately, the weakest aspect of Pascal Siakam’s skill set is three-point shooting. Pascal Siakam has made 34.6% of his catch-and-shoot threes since 2017 on three attempts per game. The catch-and-shoot threes accounted for 85.7 percent of his attempts, as he is shooting 32.9% from behind the arc on 3.5 attempts per game.
If Philadelphia wants Pascal Siakam to thrive on the team, Nick Nurse would need to make one alteration to the offensive system. Nurse would need to quicken up the offensive tempo as Pascal is most effective in transition.
How Siakam can succeed with the 76ers
Siakam has spent 21.1% of his possessions in transition since 2017 as he is averaging 3.9 per game. He is shooting 61.7% from the field on 2.8 attempts per game, averaging 4.6 points. Unfortunately, the 76ers are 19th in transition possessions through 37 contests this season averaging 18.8 per game.
Philadelphia currently ranks in the bottom half of the league in transition possessions because Joel Embiid likes to play at a slower tempo. Embiid is 18th in PACE among starting centers this season as the team averages 101.6 possessions per game with him on the floor.
Therefore, the Philadelphia 76ers would be better off re-signing Tobias Harris this upcoming offseason as he is a better player for the team as currently constructed. Harris has made 38.2% of his catch and shoot threes on 3.4 shots per game. Catch and shoots make up 77.3% of his threes as he shoots 38.8% from behind the arc on 4.4 attempts per game.
In conclusion, given the current roster of the Philadelphia 76ers, Tobias Harris is a better player for the team than Pascal Siakam.
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