Tank 3.0 Now In Motion For The Philadelphia 76ers?

Has Tank 3.0 already begun for the Philadelphia 76ers?

After last night’s NBA Draft, in which the Sixers were selecting third overall for the second consecutive season, general manager Sam Hinkie pounced on the opportunity to snatch the best talent available: center Jahlil Okafor.

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This was Hinkie’s strategy with his No. 3 pick in 2014 as well. The Sixers had already traded All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday in order for Philly to make Nerlens Noel a Sixer in 2013, but Hinkie went with the best talent available method and drafted injured center Joel Embiid.

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He said, “Trust the process,” and Sixers fans were able to rationalize with the anticipation of a potentially dominant frontcourt that many hoped and expected would be complemented with the arrival of an elite-caliber guard, such as D’Angelo Russell or Emmanuel Mudiay.

But instead, the Sixers went big for the third straight draft.

They didn’t address the glaring guard issues. They didn’t pursue an option on the wing. Philly exhausted their highest draft pick on yet another high-upside center that could one day prove to be a franchise-changing cornerstone.

But this one is different. Okafor isn’t injured.

So what does that mean for Hinkie’s Sixers?

Well, for starters, the Sixers get that much-needed assurance that there’s another option should Embiid’s repetitious setbacks and long-term concerns prevent the seven-footer from ever panning out as the star he was projected to be. Okafor is a true center with an offensive game that’s already polished to the point that he’ll begin his time as an NBA player as one of the most offensively gifted post presences out there.

Secondly, the Sixers should be better than they were last season. With the growing assumption that Embiid is going to miss extended time next season, Philly will begin the season with a starting frontcourt of Noel and Okafor – the best defensive presence and offensive option down low in their respective classes.

That means the Sixers will no longer have to suffer from a starting frontcourt that includes either Henry Sims of Furkan Aldemir.

So at the very least, the frontcourt foundation seems to be in place, with the some added assurance for the potential failure of the Embiid project.

Noel should come back more offensively intact and physically stout. Electric combo-guard Tony Wroten will be returning from a partially torn ACL. Thomas Robinson looks to be a tremendous reserve down low if he’s brought back – as he should be. Philly can hope Robert Covington wasn’t a one-season wonder and Jerami Grant should take a step forward offensively, regardless of how diminutive that step might be.

Add in the potential arrival of point guard Pierre Jackson and former Sixers draftee Jordan McRae, in addition to Richaun Holmes and J.P Tokoto – the Sixers 37^th and 58^th draft picks Thursday night – and Philadelphia has a roster that should be a little more competitive than last season’s 18-64 club.

But being slightly better than last season doesn’t do much for a team that’s still destined to lose in 2015-16.

Outside of a major surprise, the Sixers won’t make any noteworthy splash in free agency. Proven talent likely wouldn’t want to go play there, and why would they at this point in the rebuild? The Sixers still have numerous questions to address on the perimeter, especially at point guard. Ish Smith and Isaiah Canaan are worthwhile backup options, but there’s simply no way the Sixers will be competitive with backup-quality floor generals assuming all the point guard minutes.

At this point, the only step forward the Sixers took in the draft came by adding a surefire talent in the paint to pair alongside Noel, and ultimately Embiid once he gets healthy. That’s when the fun will begin down low.

Unfortunately, that step forward will be followed with another step back into the early portion of the 2016 NBA Draft Lottery.

This roster, even with the addition of Okafor and all the offensive talent he brings, simply has too many unanswered questions and roster spots filled with short-term stand-ins to avoid season plagued with significant loss.

You may have thought it was over, but Tank 3.0 began in Philadelphia the moment the Sixers walked away from the draft with the prize of yet another big man.

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