Sixers 2017 Offseason

[phillychuck]

The downside of Fultz is limited interest in defense (but he has the size, quickness, and wingspan to learn D if he works at it) and no assurance his jumper will extend to the NBA 3-point line. He's probably a year or two from really being good, but he will be a positive PER player this year which many rookies aren't, even good ones

[bigegypt0417]

I'm delighted with this trade and the fact we only are moving one pick with the 3.

I really thought ainge would fleece BC...

Have consecutive #1's ever started on the same team before?

[Austinfan]

Minnesota, Wiggins and Towns.

[Lawman]

Here's Brookover's take. He doesn't like it. I'm not enough of a BB guy to be able to comment intelligently one way or the other.

Risk and price too high for Markelle Fultz | Bob Brookover

So, I'll pose the question this way. We now have the first pick in the draft. Who are you taking and why?

[phillychuck]

Can't really give Brookover any credence for this article since he starts by admitting he's never seen Fultz play, and continues to denigrate him for being on his HS JV team as a sophomore (just like Michael Jordan..hmm) and holds him responsible for the awful Washington team he was on last year (Simmons? ...hmm again).

It's really sort of an embarrassing article.

And the price is pretty darn small.

Almost every scout who has taken a public position on this draft class has Fultz rated first, and usually on a tier by himself. Writers like Brookover should stick to sports they actually know.

Who am I taking and why?

Fultz, because he's the best player in this draft, and he's a perfect fit with Embiid and Simmons. Couldn't ask for more.

[bkeich]

Brookover thinking it is a bad idea is the best sign that we are doing the right thing. I can't think of anything he has been correct about, and he actually starts the article by saying he has never seen Fultz play. That is almost like saying "I have no information, but since I am writing about Philadelphia sports I am just going to say it is bad and listen to people adore me on WIP".

[zambonir]

It's a bad look when Brookover writes about the two sports he hasn't covered on the beat. I don't think Murphy is that great at it either but that's also because I think it's a waste to ever take him off baseball.

This can always be screwed up, obviously. But the Sixers have total cover here, nobody's gonna fault that pick. Probably Brookover just drew the short straw to make that argument, if they haven't published the counterpoint column already they will.

[Dirk41]

I'm curious to hear Ainge's take on this trade because the price was so small. Not only do the Lakers have a solid chance to be between 6-15 next year in the lottery, the Kings pick could just as well be the same in 2019. I'd even have understood the deal if the Sixers gave up the best of their pick next season or in 19. Sixers also have the Thunder's protected pick in 2020 as well as 16 second round picks in the next 5 years.

I miss Hinkie

[zambonir]

Heh, nice faint praise (but there's more)

Philadelphia now possesses its “Big 3” to rival Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Harden or Portland’s Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden.

Trade Grades: Sixers best Celtics in win-win

[bigegypt0417]

I miss Hinkie

The twitterverse is full of tributes to Hinkie and how this trade was made possible by MCW but I wonder why he isn't really in the mix for any NBA jobs?

I think Ainge is working on something bigger and needed another pick...

[Dirk41]

I agree. But doesn't it seem strange that a guaranteed #1 pick isn't viewed as greater than a #3, a 2-5, and what could theoretically be a pick in the 20s??

The protections are also bizarre in that it appears like the Sixers are the ones who made the demands in regard to the possible #1 pick next season. The Stepover podcast wondered if Boston doesn't have a deal with Chicago completed but contingent on the this year's 3rd pick so Boston was more dedicated to getting the deal done.

Anyone looking at possible 2nd round picks yet???

[bigegypt0417]

I agree. But doesn't it seem strange that a guaranteed #1 pick isn't viewed as greater than a #3, a 2-5, and what could theoretically be a pick in the 20s??

The deal is bizarre for sure...Either they really aren't sold on Fultz or they needed the pick at any cost.

[Dirk41]

I'm certain it would have leaked already, but I wonder if there was something between the Fultz camp and Boston. Boston radio this morning is calling for Tatum or a further trade back with the Kings. What a draft!

[Austinfan]

It's simple, Thomas and Bradley can become free agents, if htey draft Fultz, they lose one of the others in a year. And they have Smart (#6) as well.
So Fultz's value to Boston wasn't that of a #1 pick because it would be shuffling pieces, not upgrading at a position of need.
BC played it cool, didn't panic and offer too much, and made sure he protected #1 in 2018.
In two years, Sacramento will have #5 and #10 this year, their first next year, so odds are while they'll still be a lottery pick team, they won't be terrible.

With the big three in place, plus Saric, RoCo and TLC, Sixers can now focus on building up the bench with 3 1st rd picks the next two years, 4 2nd rd picks this year, and 6 more the next two years.
That allows you to add D-league prospects, accumulate Euro stashs, trade for short-term patches and trade forward in the draft.

[bigegypt0417]

I'm certain it would have leaked already, but I wonder if there was something between the Fultz camp and Boston. Boston radio this morning is calling for Tatum or a further trade back with the Kings. What a draft!

Well, the three can definitely get them more picks if they choose.

Sixers have really built themselves a great nucleus and this should be a fun year to watch...it's a good time to be a sixers fan.

We've had too much of a back and forth for me to not just mention Thaddeus Young.

[xogfog]

New rumor out there, Indiana is trying to send George to Cleveland and the Sixers are being mentioned as a possible landing spot for Kevin Love. Maybe this is where we could move Okafor and some second round picks. Love makes a ton of money, but the Sixers have tons of cap room, He would be on the books for 2 or 3 years, so his contract would go away when it is time to pay Simmons and Fultz.

You could run out a starting lineup of Embid, Love, Covington, Fultz and Simmons with Holmes, Saric, TLC, Stauskas, Bayless, Anderson and McConnel off the bench.

[LegoDoom]

Being as the Pacers want future picks and the Cavs don't have any, then I assume we'd be sending 1 or more future firsts for Love?

I just don't see how the timing of it works for the Sixers. This only makes sense if they expect to seriously contend in the next 3 years. And I'd have to think they'd need at least a year or two to develop before making any kind of playoff run past the first round.

I am fine for bringing in a veteran (even at a high price) for 3-4 years, but not at the cost of future 1st round pick(s).

[phillychuck]

I have no interest in Kevin Love--old and declining player who was once very good. This is why LeBron wants to dump him. You'll end up paying him now for what he once was, both in assets and money.

[Lawman]

I'm not a big basketball guy, and even I recognize Love isn't what he once was. No reason to bring him in.

[bigegypt0417]

Kevin Love just had his best season with the Cavs and was either above or at his career numbers.

I don't want him but at 28 I'm not sure he's exactly regressing.