The Philadelphia 76ers have had point guard issues all offseason and those issues will carry over into the regular season. Both Tony Wroten and Kendall Marshall are expected to miss at least some regular season time after head coach Brett Brown pronounced them at least a month away. Isaiah Canaan will be the starter when the season begins but it is unknown who will get the backup minutes. Starting shooting guard Nik Stauskas is reportedly an option to take some of the minutes at the point guard spot, according to John Finger of CSN Philly.
All along Brown's plan has been to carry three point guards on the regular season roster which includes Wroten and Marshall who will not be available when the season starts. If Brown sticks with the plan of only keeping three point guards, he will have to find someone to handle the ball while Canaan rests during games and he thinks that will be Stauskas.
"I think Stauskas has something in him that he could play a little bit at point guard like Manu Ginobli used to way back when a little bit. The three I said, I stand by, but I think Stauskas, in a pinch, can be used there from time to time," said Brown.
With Brown seemingly not willing to change his plan of keeping just three point guards that leaves Pierre Jackson, Scottie Wilbekin and T.J. McConnell as likely cuts. Jackson seemed like he had a real shot to make the roster but he has yet to see any action during the preseason.
Stauskas is currently dealing with a stress reaction in his tibia that has not allowed him to play in the preseason but he expects to be back by either the end of the preseason or game one of the regular season. The 22 year old was just acquired by the 76ers this offseason and has yet to play with any of his new teammates but it doesn't sound like he will be eased in.
Stauskas was the eighth overall pick in 2014 by the Sacramento Kings and is a talented young player so Brown plans to utilize him early and often. Stauskas should be a focal point for the Sixers on offense and now that he might also be the backup point guard he will have a ton of responsibility for a 22 year old on a new team.
