Philadelphia 76ers: Summer League Roster, Key Storylines

The Philadelphia 76ers announced their 2012 AirTran Orlando Pro Summer League roster last week, and there should be plenty of buzz surrounding the action.

Headlining the relatively young roster is Moe Harkless, the No. 15 overall pick in last month's NBA Draft. He was the Big East Rookie of the Year last season with St. John's, dropping over 15 points per game while also grabbing over eight rebounds per game.

Overall, the roster consists of eight rookies, four players with three years or less of experience and Solomon Jones, a six-year veteran.

The Summer League isn't always easy to keep track of, but here's a breakdown to help everybody stay informed. 

76ers Summer League Schedule

Monday, July 9 at 5:00 PM: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Indiana Pacers

Tuesday, July 10 at 11:00 AM: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Utah Jazz

Wednesday, July 11 at 3:00 PM: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Brooklyn Nets

Thursday, July 12 at 5:00 PM: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Orlando Magic

Friday, July 13 at 12:00 PM: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Detroit Pistons

Moe Harkless: G/F, St. John's

Player Profile: 6'8", 208 pounds

2011-12 Per Game Stats: 15.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.4 blocks, 1.6 steals

Key Storyline: Moe Harkless will be given many opportunities in Philadelphia during the upcoming season. His versatile skill set and ability to defend along the perimeter will make him a valuable asset to the 76ers.

He'll be competing with Evan Turner and Jodie Meeks for playing time, but he should earn around 15 or 20 minutes per game as the season progresses.

Many felt as if Harkless left St. John's too early, so he'll be looking to silence all of those doubters with a strong showing in the Summer League. 

Terrence Jennings: F, Louisville

Player Profile: 6'10", 230 pounds

2011-12 Per Game Stats: 9.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 1.9 blocks, 0.7 steals

Key Storyline: Terrence Jennings had a solid three-year career at Louisville but, unfortunately, profiles as nothing more than roster depth at this point in his development.

He doesn't score particularly well, nor does he rebound as a guy his size should. His athletic frame is conducive to his shot-blocking ability, but that's not enough to warrant him a spot with the team.

Jennings could potentially make the 76ers as the 12th man off the bench, but don't expect a big contribution from him this season.

Chris Johnson: F, Dayton

Player Profile: 6'6", 201 pounds

2011-12 Per Game Stats: 12.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.6 blocks, 0.7 steals

Key Storyline: Chris Johnson, a senior from Dayton, was taken in the second round by the 76ers in last month's draft.

He was a very consistent presence in the Dayton lineup his past three seasons, averaging 11.9, 11.9 and 12.4 points per game, respectively.

Like Jennings, Johnson could potentially compete for one of the final spots available on the roster once the season begins to get closer.

He won't "wow" you with any of his skills, but Johnson is a solid, all-around role player.

Solomon Jones: F/C, Los Angeles Clippers

Player Profile: 6'10", 240 pounds

2011-12 Per Game Stats: 3.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 0.5 blocks

Key Storyline: Solomon Jones began last season with the New Orleans Hornets, averaging 17.8 minutes per game.

The Los Angeles Clippers picked him up towards the end of the season, and he averaged just 9.6 minute per game with them.

Jones more than likely won't be with the 76ers when they break camp for the season. Spencer Hawes, Nikola Vucevic and Lavoy Allen have the center position filled nicely.

Jones will be looking for work by the time the season begins.

Jacob Pullen: G, Kansas State

Player Profile: 6'1", 200 pounds

2011-12 Per Game Stats: 20.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.6 steals, 3.1 turnovers

Key Storyline: Jacob Pullen was a great scorer during his career at Kansas State. In his final two seasons there, he averaged 19.3 and 20.2 points per game, respectively.

He shoots well from deep (38 percent last season) and can take the ball to the rim with regularity.

On most other NBA teams, Pullen would almost be guaranteed a spot on the roster. With the guard-heavy 76ers, though, he'll have to work a little harder.

In the end, I think he'll make the team. He may not get valuable minutes, but he'll be on the squad.

Jeremy Richardson: G/F, BC Armia

Player Profile: 6'6", 185 pounds

2011-12 Per Game Stats: 17.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.8 steals (over 6 games)

Key Storyline: Jeremy Richardson hasn't played in the NBA since the 2008-09 season with the Orlando Magic, and he has never appeared in more than 19 games in any of his three NBA seasons.

It's safe to say that those things won't be changing this season.

Richardson is strictly organizational depth at this point.

Zack Rosen: G, University of Pennsylvania

Player Profile: 6'1", 175 pounds

2011-12 Per Game Stats: 18.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.4 steals

Key Storyline: Zack Rosen was phenomenal during his senior season with the Quakers. He effectively bounced back from a rough junior season to be a leader on his team as a senior.

Rosen may end up playing in the D-League this season, as there are several other guards vying for far too few positions.

He has the skills to potentially be a nice role player in the NBA, but he just won't be asked to utilize those skills with the 76ers this season.

Jon Scheyer: G, Maccabi T-A (Israel)

Player Profile: 6'5", 190 pounds

2011-12 Per Game Stats: 3.0 points, 1.0 rebounds, 0.4 assists, .07 steals

Key Storyline: Jon Scheyer played in the preseason with the Los Angeles Clippers last season prior to going to play in Israel for the season.

Scheyer, a former Blue Devil, has the potential to be a solid contributor with an NBA team. He just needs to be given a chance.

He'll have to work his way into more playing time, but Scheyer could potentially make the team as the 10th or 11th man this season. 

Devin Searcy: F, Toyama Grouses (Japan)

Player Profile: 6'10", 226 pounds

2011-12 Per Game Stats: 13.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists

Key Storyline: Devin Searcy averaged a double-double last season in Japan, and that's impressive enough to warrant the Philadelphia coaching staff to give him a long, hard look during the Summer League.

Even if his scoring abilities won't translate well to the NBA game, his rebounding alone could make him very valuable.

His standing with the club really hinges on his performance in the Summer League. If he performs well, don't be surprised if the team gives him another look later on in the offseason.

Xavier Silas: G, Philadelphia 76ers

Player Profile: 6'5", 205 pounds

2011-12 Per Game Stats: 5.5 points, 2 rebounds, 1.5 assists (over 2 games)

Key Storyline: Xavier Silas played in two regular season games for Philadelphia last season. He performed pretty well in 19.5 minutes per game.

The 76ers thought enough of him to give him a spot on the playoff roster, and he even appeared in two games in the Conference Finals. He scored just one point per game, but he was still a contributor.

He'll likely have a small role with the team again this season, though he'll likely be more involved than he was a year ago. 

Clay Tucker: G, Virtus Roma (Italy)

Player Profile: 6'3", 195 pounds

2011-12 Per Game Stats: 15.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.1 steals

Key Storyline: Clay Tucker entered professional basketball in 2003 as an undrafted free agent. He has never played a single game in the NBA.

He played in the Summer League in 2008 with the Cleveland Cavaliers and in 2009 with the Detroit Pistons, but neither of those opportunities led to anything at the next level.

Such will likely be the case again in this situation. The 76ers are just too guard-heavy to bring in a guy who's never played in the NBA.

Justin Williams: F/C, Los Angeles D-Fenders (D-League)

Player Profile: 6'10", 260 pounds

2011-12 Per Game Stats: 2.0 minutes, 1.0 fouls

Key Storyline: Justin Williams will not be one of the guys that gets as close a look during Philadelphia's slate of summer games.

He is there strictly for depth—nothing more. He played just one game with the Los Angeles D-Fenders last season, recording one foul before exiting the game after two minutes.

Williams will not contribute to Philadelphia at all this season.

Nikola Vucevic: C, Philadelphia 76ers

Player Profile: 7', 240 pounds

2011-12 Per Game Stats: 5.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.7 blocks

Key Storyline: Nikola Vucevic and Harkless are the only two players on the Summer League roster essentially guaranteed a role with the 76ers once the season begins.

Vucevic impressed in 51 games last season, enough to earn him 15 starts when the injury bug began to bite.

Spencer Hawes is the unquestioned starter at center at this point, but Vucevic presents the 76ers with a nice option if Hawes needs extended periods of rest.

Vucevic will be valuable to the team this season.

Key Storyline for Entire Summer League Team

The most important thing for the Philadelphia coaching staff to do during the Summer League is to determine which young, inexperienced players are capable of holding their own against NBA competition.

The 76ers have assembled an extremely inexperienced roster, and that'll likely show in the five-game league.

Watch Harkless closely, though. We could witness the first signs of his stardom if he performs how most of us expect him to in Orlando.

Harkless may be without an established role on the team right now, but that could quickly change with a strong offseason.