4 76ers who are exceeding expectations, 2 underperforming at the All-Star break, The 76ers need to find their footing if……

The Philadelphia 76ers have won just three of their last 12 games heading into the All-Star break. Joel Embiid was having a historic season but is out for the foreseeable future with a knee injury. The Sixers upgraded their roster before the trade deadline, and the franchise hopes it was enough to keep them afloat until Embiid returns.

Philadelphia was near the top of the standings, but their recent skid has dropped them to fifth in the Eastern Conference. They are just 2.5 games ahead of the Heat, who sit seventh. The 76ers need to find their footing without Embiid if they want to avoid the Play-In Tournament.

The Sixers are ten games over .500 and had a lot of positives in the first half. With the All-Star break here, which players are over or underperforming expectations?

Exceeding expectations: Buddy Hield

The deadline acquisition has played just four games with Philly, but he has been fantastic in those contests. He has scored over 20 points in each and has showcased some strong playmaking. Hield is averaging 22.3 points, 7.5 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.8 steals on 52.3 percent shooting from the field and 45.0 percent on his 3-point tries. It is a small sample, but the 6’4 wing has certainly been better than anyone could have expected.

Hield is an elite shooter capable of scoring 20 every night. The Sixers won’t need him to when Embiid returns, but he can certainly fill the void while the reigning MVP is out. His shooting percentages will dip, but Hield will still put on a show. Head coach Nick Nurse’s system seems like a strong fit for the 31-year-old, and it will be fascinating to see what he can do after the break.

Not all of the Philadelphia 76ers additions have worked out this season, but Buddy Hield has been outstanding and allowed the front office to maintain their flexibility this summer.

Underperforming: Robert Covington

The Sixers acquired four players in the James Harden deal. KJ Martin and Nicolas Batum have become productive rotation players for stretches, but Covington and Marcus Morris Sr. have not worked out. Morris was traded to San Antonio at the deadline and figures to be bought out. Covington remains in Philadelphia, but things have not gone as planned.

He is currently sidelined by a knee injury and has not played since Dec. 30. The 33-year-old was in and out of the rotation before being sidelined, and there is no guarantee he will get minutes when healthy.

Covington averaged just 4.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in 16.1 minutes per game during his 26 contests with the Sixers this season. Fans remember him from The Process era where he was a key 3-and-D forward. The 33-year-old is no longer at that level and has struggled to get consistent run for two straight seasons.

Robert Covington is on an $11.6 million expiring contract and is unlikely to be back with the 76ers next season. Philadelphia plans on chasing a star this summer, and Bob Cov will likely be on a minimum contract with some team hoping they can get one more productive season out of the veteran forward.

Exceeding expectations: Nicolas Batum

Batum made an instant impact after arriving in Philadelphia. The 6’8 forward has been a versatile weapon capable of making plays, sinking open shots, and defending multiple positions. His minutes were limited with the Clippers, but the 76ers had a significant role for him.

Batum has averaged 6.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 25.5 minutes per game over his first 31 games with the franchise. He is shooting 52.8 percent from the field and 46.7 percent on his 3-point attempts. The Sixers have an unbelievable 140 offensive rating with Batum on the floor, and he will be a key part of their rotation whenever healthy.

The 35-year-old has not played since Jan. 29 because of a hamstring injury. He missed the final nine games before the All-Star break but appears on track to return in short order. The 76ers could use his playmaking and defense, especially with Joel Embiid out.

Fans must temper their expectations. Nicolas Batum is not going to play massive minutes at this stage of his career. The 6’8 forward will be productive when on the floor, but he needs to stay in that 25-a-night range. He is a key role player for the Philadelphia 76ers and someone they need in the postseason.

Exceeding expectations: Tobias Harris

His production dropped off, but his shooting percentages improved playing off James Harden last season. Harden’s trade request gave Harris a larger offensive role and allowed him to showcase his versatile skill set. The 31-year-old is in the final year of his contract and is eager to prove he deserves another monster deal. His production has certainly picked up with Harden in LA.

Harris is averaging 17.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.0 steal in 34.0 minutes per game this season. He is shooting over 50 percent from the field and 89.6 percent on his free throws, but his 3-point percentage has dipped to 34.6. The 6’8 forward is a crucial part of the Sixers’ attack and someone the team should look to keep long-term.

Tobias Harris is 59th in the NBA in value over replacement player (VORP) this season. His massive contract impacted the perception of his value. Yes, Harris was paid like a star and not delivering that production, but he was still an above-average player with the potential to take over a contest.

Tobias Harris remains one of the most underrated players in the NBA. He does plenty that goes unnoticed by the box score. It is a positive to see his production back up, and he is ready for more during Joel Embiid’s absence.

Underperforming: Cameron Payne

The 76ers received Payne from the Bucks in the Patrick Beverley trade. He has bounced around since the end of last season. Payne has been traded twice and was waived by the Spurs. The Sixers are technically his fourth team since July, and the backup point guard is trying to find a long-term home.

Payne’s defense is always problematic. The 6’3 guard struggles defending on the ball and is undersized in switch-heavy schemes. Payne can get targeted, so his offense needs to be on point to stay on the floor.

In his four games with the Sixers, the 29-year-old averaged 10.8 points, 4.8 assists, and 2.3 rebounds in 25.3 minutes per game. Those numbers look strong, but he shot just 36.6 percent from the field and 25.0 percent on his 3-point attempts to achieve them. Payne needs to be more efficient.

The Philadelphia 76ers signed Kyle Lowry off the buyout market, and it will be interesting to see if Cameron Payne sticks in the rotation. Lowry cannot play massive minutes at his age, but the Sixers need to be careful how much Payne plays, especially in the postseason. His defense should be mitigated with Joel Embiid protecting the rim, but Payne will still struggle.

Exceeding expectations: Tyrese Maxey

Maxey is having a breakout fourth NBA season. The departure of James Harden left him with more playmaking and ball-handling opportunities and has helped the 23-year-old guard blossom. He is averaging 25.7 points, 6.4 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.0 steal in 37.2 minutes per game. Maxey is a first-time All-Star and proving to be one of the league’s most dynamic guards.

He has developed an outstanding two-man game with Joel Embiid and will be looking for a maximum contract this summer. Maxey is set to become a restricted free agent. The 76ers have no plans of watching him leave, but the 23-year-old will be in for a significant raise.

Maxey averaged over 20 points per game last season, but few saw this leap coming. He is 15th in scoring and 21st in assists per game at the All-Star Break. The dynamic guard will draw All-NBA consideration and should only get better.

Can Philly acquire a third star? It would mean parting with Tobias Harris and several players on their current roster, but it is possible. The Sixers are a team to watch this summer as they look to reshape their roster and build a true title contender. Can Daryl Morey pull it off? Stay tuned to find out.