Sixers 2018 Offseason

[bigegypt0417]

Sources: Bjelica spurns 76ers, stays in Europe

Well, that solves 1 roster issue. I wonder if it had something to do with the draft. I dont see it as much of a loss, we really didnt need him and with Johnson, Chandler and Redick around there is no real need for "veteran" guys.

Besides, Ilyasova will be available at mid-season for the minimum after he is released again

Seems he changed his mind again...signing for 3 years with Sacramento.

[Purduke]

I liked Holmes from early on and was hoping\expecting he would be Hinkie's Chandler Parsons pick. But he really disappointed last year and this might be addition by subtraction. Beyond the roster issues, headed into his contract year, he may have proven to be a team distraction needing PT and the such. Until you get that first contract you can't afford to do what Reddick and Johnson did money wise this year just to be on a winning team. Exhibit #2, Bjelica.

So buckle up because the easy part of the ride (Hinkie's part) is over and now we have to get ready to start losing players that seem to be worth something more strictly for FO reason's.

[VoteForKalas]

So buckle up because the easy part of the ride (Hinkie's part) is over and now we have to get ready to start losing players that seem to be worth something more strictly for FO reason's.

There is no easy part of the process of turning an organization around and building a championship winning team.

That was Hinkie's vision - making the 76ers a model NBA organization and team that could win multiple championships. It was an incredibly ambitious endeavor. The 76ers were a horrible mess when Harris & Blitzer bought it and hired Hinkie and his vision.

The NBA is also a mess; turning around a franchise and making it a consistent winner is extremely difficult due to the way the league is setup and managed. Not only did the 76ers have to fix their own house, but they had to battle the league since the only logical way to revamp was to clean up their cap by stripping down the roster & unloading contracts, gather high picks, focus on development & the draft and therefore lose games.

Unfortunately, the NBA made an absolute stink about the 76ers approach and Harris & Blitzer caved, fired Hinkie, brought in JC who eventually got his son appointed as GM in an obvious nepotism hire.

Since then, progress has been blunted a bit and, once the last mechanisms that Hinkie put into place such as the pick to draft Simmons or the pick to move up to draft Fultz etc., are over, it is far from clear if the current management team can finish the process.

We do not even have a GM; putting Brown in a position he is likely under qualified for executing. Brown's star hunting comments fell flat - they struck out so far this off-season in FA or trades to upgrade the roster. Boston is very good and getting talent back from injury. Toronto got better with Leonard. The West with Golden State, Houston and now LA with James are daunting challenges.

Hopefully, Fultz takes a big step this season, Simmons works all summer on his shot, Embiid stays healthy and we can land elite FA and make good trades next off-season. Once we have to start paying Embiid and Simmons max money, things get harder - the clock is ticking.

[bigegypt0417]

Maybe the biggest addition to this roster is someone who was already here...

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/drew-hanlen-rumored-fixed-markelle-001835420.html

[xogfog]

The Sixers might be honing in on a GM, they brought two candidates back for second interviews (Utah Jazz Assistant General Manager Justin Zanik and Houston Rockets Vice President Gersson Rosas). Maybe they will get a GM in place before the season starts after all.

There have also been a few outside reports that the Sixers are impressed with Fultz's recovery and may give him extended minutes right from the start.

Preseason starts in a couple weeks!

[bigegypt0417]

Good news!

More good news....

Sixers Zhaire Smith Could Return by Christmas

[bigegypt0417]

Elton Brand named GM...odd move.

[xogfog]

I know they really like Elton Brand in the organization, but this is an odd move. I guess they wanted someone from within, but this might be a bit of a reach. Who knows, he might be great. My guess is that Brown will still wield some influence over roster moves.

[jimbomill]

I found it surprising, especially when considering how long the decision took

[zambonir]

It's like hiring Gabe Kapler.

[xogfog]

i wouldn't say it's like hiring Kapler. Brand has been in the organization for years, as a player, GM of their G league and was VP of Basketball Operations. The other part of this is that by hiring Brand, the Sixers keep the rest of their front office essentially the same, where an outside pick might have wanted to bring in his own staff and put his own stamp on it. The Sixers are obviously feeling good about the path they are on and want someone that won't rock the boat.

[phillychuck]

Brand--smart guy, hard worker, respect from the players in the league, good contacts with other GMs and agents. His judgment about players and his ability to negotiate are yet to be seen. I would have preferred Rosas or Zanik, but Brand is an intriguing hire--I don't think he'll be worse than average, and he might be a home run. Surprised it wasn't Eversley, who I thought was the slam-dunk inside hire, as someone mentioned above.

This probably means Eversley and Cohen will be leaving sooner rather than later.

[bigegypt0417]

Brand--smart guy, hard worker, respect from the players in the league, good contacts with other GMs and agents. His judgment about players and his ability to negotiate are yet to be seen. I would have preferred Rosas or Zanik, but Brand is an intriguing hire--I don't think he'll be worse than average, and he might be a home run. Surprised it wasn't Eversley, who I thought was the slam-dunk inside hire, as someone mentioned above.

This probably means Eversley and Cohen will be leaving sooner rather than later.

I'm thinking that this was the guy that BB wanted more than anything. It's a very interesting pick and it makes me wonder where he falls of the analytics and sports science that Brown embraces. Since the ownership did bring in outside guys to interview I have to imagine that Brand just impressed that much.

[allentown]

It's a very interesting pick and it makes me wonder where he falls of the analytics and sports science that Brown embraces.

I assume he will support whatever Brown embraces or he wouldn't be there.

[bkeich]

It is going to be an interesting power struggle possible, certainly it starts with Brand and BB on the same page, but if they do not start going deep into the playoffs, well, frankly, this year there is going to be trouble. They basically took a pass on this years FAs, making no quality moves except resigning, which means, in essence, BB is staking his job on what we have. If they falter he is the fall guy, if we make it to the Conference Finals then BB has all the power I suspect. Will be a very interesting year.

[zambonir]

I like the hire. It is similar to Kapler in that he's young and it's a surprise pick over more obviously qualifed people and he only has a few years experience, albeit, Brand was already working on a front office whereas Kapler moved from a front office to the dugout. Without really knowing what those guys are about I do prefer it to just elevating the Colangelo/NBA guys.

Also worth noting that Brand's time with the Sixers (as a player) began with Hinkie.

[phillychuck]

My favorite headline in the near future (a dream, not a prediction):

"New Sixers GM Brand bringing back Hinkie as Special Assistant"

[VoteForKalas]

I think Brand is a front man and that Cohen & Brown likely are planning the strategy and making most of the decisions.

Brand was a respected player who may have good connections around the league, with the personnel on the 76ers for sure and likely with most of the fan base.

As someone else said, this keeps the front office intact while filling a spot that had become a source of lost credibility for the organization. Very strange this took so long to accomplish; perhaps some convincing and arm twisting was necessary to get everyone on board.

[bigegypt0417]

Fultz Got His Jumper Back 👀

The biggest offseason acquisition...

[Philsmania]

Fultz Got His Jumper Back 👀

The biggest offseason acquisition...

Well, practice...you're talkin' 'bout practice. We got to see it in games.