Atlantic Notes: Sixers’ Rotation, Yabusele, Walker, Knicks

The Sixers will have a different look after a summer spending spree, prompting The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Gina Mizell to project how the rotation will shake out.

Mizell anticipates the Sixers will go with a different type of starting lineup, with forward Caleb Martin replacing guard Kyle Lowry, leaving Tyrese Maxey at the point. In that scenario, Eric Gordon, Jared McCain and Reggie Jackson would compete for reserve minutes in the backcourt, while KJ Martin, Ricky Council IV and Guerschon Yabusele would fight for playing time vacated by Nicolas Batum. Andre Drummond will slot in as Joel Embiid‘s backup.

We have more from the Atlantic Division:

  • Yabusele signed a one-year contract with the Sixers after his strong showing in the Paris Olympics for France. He hasn’t played in the NBA since 2019. “Not a lot of people have a chance of second shots in the NBA,” Yabusele told Mizell. “So when the opportunity comes, you don’t think twice. … I feel like I just wanted to better myself and [say], ‘Let’s try.’ I feel like if you don’t come back in the NBA, then you play your whole career and you be like, ‘If, if, if …’”
  • Don’t expect Lonnie Walker IV to make the Celtics’ opening-night roster, according to Brian Robb of Masslive.com. The veteran wing was signed to a training camp deal and there are financial incentives for the Celtics to leave him off the roster, since it would cost the team millions more in luxury tax penalties to retain him. Robb pegs Walker’s chances of sticking on the 15-man roster to start the season at 30 percent.
  • How could the Knicks’ season be derailed? Stefan Bondy of the New York Post explores a few possible pitfalls for the team to navigate, including the overload of wings on the roster, Julius Randle not receiving an extension, and injuries.
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