HomeFeaturesHow to fix the 76ers this Off-Season

How to fix the 76ers this Off-Season

The Philadelphia 76ers have the first pick in this year’s NBA Draft. New GM Bryan Colangelo inherited a treasure chest of resources from the controversial, analytics-driven, former GM Sam Hinkie. Philadelphia not only won the draft lottery, but also have the 24th and 26th overall picks (via Miami and OKC, respectively). They have plenty of cap space and a few young players with trade value. This is a huge month in franchise history.
Still, there is plenty of work to be done before the 76ers are ready for a championship run. In particular, how they answer the following questions will say a lot about their success or failure in the near future.
Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram?
Simmons is a special passer with impressive ball handling and rebounding skills. The native Australian averaged 19.2 PPG, 4.8 APG and 11.8 RPG as a freshman. Those in the “Simmons Camp” would say his unique set of skills makes him Philly’s likely choice. However, failing to lead his team to the NCAA Tournament and his lack of a shooter’s touch — a skill much needed in today’s NBA — draw some red flags.
Duke’s Brandon Ingram is a shooter and scorer. The 6’9″ Duke guard formed a dynamic duo with Grayson Allen during the season. The freshman averaged 17.3 PPG and shot 41 percent from 3-point range. He showed a winner’s drive as he led his Blue Devils deep into the NCAA tournament. Still, the 18-year-old doesn’t have the all-around skills of Simmons. He also needs to put on a lot of weight. (He is currently about 205lbs.) While Ingram does have tremendous upside, the question is: What if he turns into a Kevin Durant-like elite scorer?

Brandon Ingram
Brandon Ingram (Duke Blue Devils)

Should the Sixers keep or trade their young players?
ESPN’s Chad Ford has reported Colangelo is considering trading frontcourt players Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor, presumably to make way for rehabbing center Joel Embiid. There have been some rumors that they would trade Okafor to Boston for the Celtics’ third overall pick, or Noel to Orlando for a player like Victor Oladipo. Coach Brett Brown was brought in to run an up-tempo, defensive-minded team, but in 2015 Hinkie drafted Okafor, a low-post scorer who lacks defensive prowess. If Philly moves Okafor, that may indicate a renewed focus in that fast-paced philosophy. If you look at the last four teams that were left in the NBA playoffs (Thunder, Raptors, Warriors and the Cavaliers), they all score in bunches and push the ball on misses or makes.
Can Philadelphia be an attractive spot for free agents?
Aside from their draft decisions, Colangelo and his staff also have the task of building back up a tainted Sixers brand. Do young talents like Simmons or Ingram have concerns about playing in Philly, winners of just 19, 18 and 10 games the last three seasons? Could Colangelo convince a prominent free agent to sign with the team? Can coach Brown prove he can develop a roster of young players into a highly productive unit? After all, success is ultimately measured not by assets but by wins.
Brett Brown
Coach Brett Brown of the Philadelphia 76ers

Philly fans are tired of being the laughing stock of the NBA. The 76ers are at a crossroads. There are a lot of questions to be answered beginning on draft night, Thursday, June 23 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. It’s an exciting time in Philly, with a lot of possibilities ahead.
For more Philadelphia sports coverage, follow Michael Collazo on Twitter @MCollazo215.


Hero (Top) Feature Image (& Additional Images): © Phil Ellsworth / ESPN Images

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