Philadelphia 76ers Offseason In Review
After a busy offseason and six seasons of losing ‘The Process’ approaches an end in the City of Brotherly Love
Patience is a virtue and the 76ers are proving that adage to be true. Following years of tanking and hoarding young talent, Philadelphia decided the 2017 offseason would be the one to make the jump back into relevancy.
Armed with a plethora of draft picks and cap space, the Colangelo brothers surrounded their young core with savvy veterans. In a weakened Eastern Conference, the 76ers could be entering the first of many playoff seasons under the new regime.
Needs:
Philadelphia remains a younger team. The team’s top-four players (Joel Embiid, Markelle Fultz, Ben Simmons and Dario Saric) are 23 years old or younger. Despite going out and signing a couple of veterans, the 76ers could still use some added leadership. Perhaps a player that’s “been there” and has championship experience.
Remember when the Thunder had Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden and made the Finals in 2012? Those three had Derek Fisher (five-time NBA champion) and Kendrick Perkins (2008 NBA champion) to look toward for guidance. Although Fisher and Perkins had minimum impact on the court, they each played a bigger role fostering the young core into preparing to become champions.
Key Losses:
- Gerald Henderson (UFA)
- Sergio Rodriguez (UFA, signed with CSKA Moscow)
Key Additions:
- Markelle Fultz (№1 pick overall)
- J.J. Redick (Free Agency)
- Amir Johnson (Free Agency)
Projected Depth Chart:
Starters: Markelle Fultz, J.J. Redick, Robert Covington, Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid
Bench: Dario Saric, Jahlil Okafor, T.J. McConnell, Amir Johnson, Nik “Sauce Castillo” Stauskas
Best offseason move: Selecting Markelle Fultz №1 in the NBA Draft
Originally, the Sixers were set select third in the 2017 NBA Draft. Not a bad position given the wealth of talent of the 2017 draft class. Philadelphia could have selected guys like Josh Jackson or Jayson Tatum, which would have filled a need. Instead, Philadelphia went all-in and traded up for the perfect selection in Markelle Fultz.
Now, the Sixers didn’t really go all in when looking at what they gave the Celtics (2018 protected Lakers first round pick or 2019 Sacramento Kings first round pick) to move up two spots.
Fultz is exactly what Philadelphia needed. A score-first guard capable of running the offense or playing as an off-guard when Ben Simmons handles the ball. Fultz averaged 23.2 points (shooting 41.3 percent from deep), 5.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game during his lone season at Washington. Fultz was being compared to James Harden during the pre-draft process, but he could fit more of a C.J. McCollum role as a Sixer — a scoring combo guard.
Additionally, Philly went out and added veterans J.J. Redick and Amir Johnson to fill specific veteran roles. Yet, Fultz was the prize with star potential.
Season Goals and Expectations: Make the Playoffs
This is what Trusting the Process looks like. With the Eastern Conference in shambles, Philadelphia’s reign could come sooner rather than later, setting up a potential rivalry with the Boston Celtics. But for The Process to continue progressing, the Sixers need to make the playoffs this year to gain some experience for their young core.
For that to occur Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons need to register a healthy campaign. To wit, Simmons is yet to step foot on a NBA court, while Embiid has only played in 31 games in the past three seasons. While those 31 games were dominant, if Embiid can finish this year with 60–70 games played, Philadelphia could have the league’s best big man.
Win Projection: 43 wins
The last time Philadelphia had a .500 record or better was in the lockout-shortened 2011–12 season. Factoring in the Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers all got worse in the offseason and it’s hard to believe an improved Sixers team doesn’t jump those three teams. Combine that with confidence built last season when the Sixers demonstrated they could play with the best in the conference, defeating the Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors.
Heading into 2017–18, if the core of Embiid, Fultz and Simmons can stay healthy, then there is no reason why the Sixers shouldn’t finish with at least a .500 record. Furthermore, with role players like Redick, Johnson, Saric and Robert Covington to round out the lineup, the Sixers have one of the more talented and deep rosters in the East.
Where Philly needs to improve is on the road, specifically heading West (only won three games versus Western Conference teams). A cool 43 wins and a 6–8 seed in the East can happen, if healthy.
Offseason Grade: B+
Philadelphia went above what was needed in the offseason. Acquiring Fultz, Redick and Johnson gave the team the shooting and toughness it desperately needed. But, they didn’t have to break their long-term flexibility by doing so since since the Redick and Johnson deals are limited to one-year. This way Philly can let the core-three grow with veteran leadership and possibly prove to a superstar free agent (cough LeBron James cough) that the Sixers are an attractive destination.
The Process has been a tumultuous tenure for Sixers fans, but winning basketball is right around the corner. The 2017 offseason was an important one for Philly and they didn’t miss a beat.
Somewhere Sam Hinkie is smiling.
