Philadelphia 76ers: Grading their 2019 NBA Trade Deadline
By Alec Liebsch
The fallout
Granted, it also didn’t take a rocket scientist to realize what was next. Although Philly didn’t lose a rotation spot in this three-for-three deal, it still lacked a lot on the wings. That was alleviated by the trades for Ennis and Simmons, two defensive-minded forwards.
Ennis can actually shoot (career 36.1 percent shooter from 3), and his two-way presence will be a staple in Brett Brown’s rotation. Simmons is a defensive dog that Brown will love to sick on the opposing team’s best player, especially those crafty guards that have bothered the team all season.
Now, it really is unfortunate that Fultz’s value deteriorated to a protected first-rounder, a second-rounder and Simmons. Fultz’s whole situation is a mess, and it hurts to move on from a guy the franchise traded up to get. But the waters have changed, and they needed his $9.5 million owed next year off the books to even have a chance at retaining Butler, Harris and (hopefully) Redick.
Gauging his value was more difficult than smelling a color. That the Sixers got any value at all, let alone a first-rounder, borders on miraculous. The Cavs’ second-rounder will be high, as Cleveland currently has the third-worst record in the association. The OKC pick is only top-20 protected in 2020, meaning the Sixers still (probably) have a first round pick in each upcoming draft.
Now that all the dust has settled on arguably the franchise’s most eventful deadline ever, let’s put all the pieces together.
The starting quintet is pretty obvious: Ben Simmons, Redick, Butler, Harris, Embiid. The bench minutes will fluctuate based on matchup, but Jonathon Simmons and Ennis are certain to get nightly minutes on the wings. Marjanovic should too down low, as Brown loves his oversized lineups. Scott will get Muscala’s minutes at the 4, and T.J. McConnell will be sprinkled in when the other ball-handlers need a break.
Amazingly, the Sixers turned one of the worst benches in the league into a formidable one, while adding another great scorer to the lineup. Elton Brand’s first season as general manager is going just about as well as anyone could’ve imagined.
Grade: A-