Philadelphia 76ers: Questioning The Process

The Philadelphia 76ers’ radical rebuilding plan has been a hot-button topic for observers in the NBA for the past few seasons. Watching the once-great franchise purposely gimp their chances for immediate success has brought up many questions about the integrity of the game and whether this long-term plan will bear fruit.

As we head into the third season of the rebuild, now is a good time to start evaluating how well the process has gone so far.

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The 76ers’ plan is simple: “win” several high lottery draft picks, acquire assets, draft high-ceiling and talented players, and keep the running costs low. Win totals aren’t as important – the focus is on developing these young players and determining which are worth keeping around. Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie is trying to replicate the Oklahoma City Thunder’s ascension – most notably, the creation of what was then one of the best young cores in the league.

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So far, the Sixers have had five lottery picks – Nerlens Noel (acquired in a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans), Michael Carter-Williams, Joel Embiid, Dario Saric (acquired in a trade with the Orlando Magic), and Jahlil Okafor. On paper, that’s a good haul – five lottery picks in two seasons is the sort of return that many teams dream of. However, a closer look at the 76ers’ situation reveals that it might not be as bright as many think.

Of the five lottery picks, only one is currently playing NBA basketball for the 76ers. The organization decided to trade away Rookie of the Year MCW last season, believing that he wasn’t the franchise’s future point guard. Saric is still plying his trade in the Euroleague, Embiid has been bothered by injuries and Okafor was just drafted. Noel is the only one still playing for the 76ers, and while he has shown flashes of potential, he only just completed his rookie season (he missed a full season due to a torn ACL).

The Sixers have a few players who could have futures in the NBA as rotational players, but have yet to hit big on their search for a superstar. Between Noel, Embiid, and Okafor, one of them will have to leave – three simply doesn’t fit into two. And right now, it seems as though Embiid is in last place.

But outside of their big men, the Sixers lack NBA starting level talent. Isaiah Canaan has shown flashes of potential and talent in his two seasons in the NBA, but there are legitimate questions about his lack of size. Recent Sixer Nik Stauskas could yet rehabilitate his value after a poor rookie season in Sacramento.

As we enter Year Three of the Process, Hinkie will have to switch gears. Fans will want to start seeing results, and signs of player improvement won’t be enough. More wins will be needed, and their “tanking” identity will have to be replaced. The next step will be to bring in more veterans to help with creating a good locker room atmosphere. And for what it’s worth, no, Gerald Wallace isn’t a veteran you want on a tanking team.

Hinkie’s plan has come under a lot of scrutiny and his plan of recreating the Thunder’s road to success is somewhat akin to attempting to catch lightning in a bottle. The Thunder were lucky to hit on all their picks (except Hasheem Thabeet), and the 76ers are already short on that with Embiid’s injury.

Sixers be warned, the kid gloves are coming off. Judgment is coming, fast.

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