"What if they'd just let Thybulle go instead of Drummond?" - which probably could have changed the draft pick compensation too - is an interesting hypothetical.
But there were a whole lot of weaknesses on display. And yet, like last year, the Sixers probably couldn't win a tough series with injuries to both Green and Embiid, and would have won this series with a healthy Joel (possibly even with the finger injury, though I don't think they would have won the conference finals).
And like last year their second star let them down at crunch time of the final game.
There is a sweet spot where star players are both star players and not overpriced/injury-prone, and the Sixers have never found it. They can move Harris but deciding whether they need another max player - and working out Harden's contract - is lift. Morey put all his chips on the player he knew and loved best; will he stick to his guns?
If they don't get a new max-type player they basically need two new Danny Greens (Matisse will just not become that offensively in time). I also wonder - can Maxey become a better defensive player? He's so talented, and works hard. But when he and Harden are both out there you're not stopping anybody. Replacing Harris (who at least embraced the role on his good nights) would help.
