Kendall Marshall makes sense for the Sixers

While some pieces have begun to fall into place for the franchise's future, at this stage in the rebuilding process the Sixers are far from a finished product. While some improvement is expected in the third season with Sam Hinkie at the helm, the team will continue to try out talent throughout the season.

While the team has worked to fortify the frontcourt through the draft, one glaring area that definitely needs addressing is the point guard position. Thus, the team's rumored interested in free agent point guard Kendall Marshall is not so surprising, especially considering the 24-year old's skill set. 

In a point guard the Sixers need a guy that can spread the ball around, make plays, and keep a lot of mouths fed. Prized lottery pick Jahlil Okafor will want touches. Nerlens Noel has been developing his offensive game this summer and will look to have a bigger role on that end of the floor this season. Robert Covington proved to be a legitimate offensive option last season. 

Throughout his collegiate and professional career, Marshall has proven to be a dynamic play-maker. He set the ACC single-season assist record in his sophomore season at North Carolina.  Just two seasons ago, he averaged 8.8 assists per game over the course of a 54-game stint with the Lakers. He had similar success passing the ball with the Sixers' D-League affiliate, the 87ers. He is able to make plays in the open court, and as the Sixers continue to develop legitimate, go-to talent on the offensive end, Marshall could be a nice compliment. 

The team also needs a point guard who can knock down shots, and while Marshall isn't a dynamic shooter, he is proficient with a career 37% mark from long range. With big men like Okafor, Embiid (eventually, hopefully), and Noel commanding attention in the post, there figures to be a lot of open opportunities for the team's perimeter players. If signed, Marshall would have to prove that he can make such shots consistently. 

At 6'4'', Marshall also has solid size for the point guard position, a bonus on both ends of the floor. 

While he often struggles on the defensive end of the ball, having bigs like Noel, Okafor, and Embiid protecting the paint should help to make up for some of his defensive decencies. If he gets beat off the dribble by a quicker guard, those guys will be there to deter the driver. 

Marshall is by no means a long-term starting solution at the point guard position, but he has an NBA skill set, and if he is able to improve in certain areas he could prove to be a valuable rotation player. Considering the Sixers current point guard prospects heading into training camp, it might make sense for them to give Marshall a shot.