76ers believe future could be bright after dismal seasons

For the first time in years, the Sixers seem poised to move up and ahead in the standings instead of shedding talent and salary with the sole intention of landing at the bottom.

The Sixers signed Laric last week more than two years after they acquired his rights on a draft-night deal. Saric was originally drafted by the Orlando Magic with the 12th overall pick of the 2014 NBA draft and he was quickly traded to the Sixers for Elfrid Payton.

Because of overseas contractual obligations, Saric played the last two seasons with the Turkish team Anadolu Efes. He was MVP of the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. He averaged 14 points, 10 rebounds and two assists for his native Croatia.

Saric and Embiid, a fellow 2014 draft pick, have yet to play for the Sixers. Embiid should make his debut after missing the past two seasons with foot injuries. They join a roster that includes fellow lottery picks Nerlens Noel, Jahlil Okafor and, of course, Simmons.

Okafor, the No. 3 pick of the 2015 draft, has been cleared to play following right knee surgery that sidelined for the final month of the season. The Sixers said on Monday that Okafor, who had been cleared to resume on-court basketball activity, will limit his participation with the USA Men's Select Team to non-contact activity and drills while training with the USA Basketball Men's National Team this week in Las Vegas.

"Jahlil has been in the gym working hard and has made great strides in his recovery and return to action, but he's simply not in the kind of basketball condition required to compete at this level of competition," Sixers President Bryan Colangelo said. "Our sports science and medical team feels that holding him out of scrimmage situations is in everyone's best interest at this point of the summer."

Sit and wait has become a bit of a theme in Philly the last few seasons, ending with last season's 10-72 mark that earned them the No. 1 pick. Noel missed a year. Embiid and Saric, two. Okafor's promising rookie season was limited to 53 games.

Once they're back, it's up to Colangelo and Brown to decide how to make them fit. Colangelo has said he's not comfortable with trying to fit centers Okafor, Noel and Embiid on the roster. One of them — surely Okafor or Noel — will have to go, before this season or next.

Simmons could fill in at point guard where the Sixers have a glaring need. Simmons showed off the versatility in the NBA Summer League that made him the No. 1 pick. The Australian played in four games for the Philadelphia 76ers in Las Vegas, averaging 12.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists.

"If you have five players who can run, feel each other on the court, I think it doesn't matter which position we play," Saric said. "How we play, how we help each other during a game, I think we'll make good things, not just me and Ben, but the whole team."