The Sixers may get a big fish this summer -- Paul George, Jimmy Butler, LeBron James -- but they'll probably need some other players too. MOC breaks down they might reasonably go about doing that.
The pieces are always great, but this legitimately might be the best one ever. The Ricky team is truly unrivaled when it comes to the breadth and quality of content they provide.
As for who I'm rooting for, LeBron is last and I don't really think we can pry Bridges away, so I'm just trying to talk myself fully into PG or Butler. The Jerami Grant scenario is really intriguing!
I think you're right about the pros/cons and have some addl thoughts about what might happen (as opposed to what should happen):
One thing that I've noticed about DM since he came to Philly is that, relative to other GM's, he seems to telegraph his star hunting while for non-stars he tends to come up with deals (Melton deal, etc) that aren't talked about in advance but end up looking pretty smart both in the moment and longer term.
Given this, and my belief that most of this comes down to whether Steve Ballmer wants to maximize the buzz for his new arena over all else, I think we will know quickly whether the Sixers' off-season is PG13+ or a non-star approach (LBJ ain't coming and I'd be shocked if they traded for JB given the history there). If it's the latter, I would suspect that outside of a major set of moves around the draft this will be a longer and more unpredictable summer.er
I’d like to get J. Grant and Robert Williams. Williams is a great back up and fill in and could possibly play with embiid a bit while Williams and Maxey with his dunking abilities. Good value contact too ($12.4 this year and $13.3 next year). 2 first should be more than enough along with Paul Reed
One guy that has not been discussed but could be used as an undervalued Avenue to acquire a legit role player is KJ Martin.
He has a minuscule cap hold and the team can sign him to a short term overvalued deal (say 2/25 w/team option) and rerouted in January along with the OKC or LAC pick for a solid player such as Dorian Finney Smith or a Caruso type when Bulls finally realize the dream is over.
I'd like to hedge our bets and invest as much towards the future with Maxey while also remaining contenders for the next couple of years.
But what I think is most likely is
1.Jerami Grant (Portland's not going to build around him)
2. Jimmy (He's getting older and Miami would be smart to get something back for him before he's cooked or walks in free agency)
3. PG (Probably just using the sixers to get Steve Ballmer to pay him as much as possible but maybe not)
4. Mikal (Nets are probably still delusional and either they don't want to trade him or they want way to much)
5. Lebron (Who the hell knows what that guys gonna do but I don't really want the process to end being about how the sixers landed a 40 year old Lebron)
Wasn't the Process EXACTLY about creating the kind of team/Culture/Environment that would attract a Lebron James to choose to play here? We were on the Hamster Wheel to mediocrity before the Process. Sam Hinkie saved this City from that, loaded us with resources and chances to turn our fortunes. When the NBA overstepped and orchestrated a coup - THAT is when the train left the rails. Hinkie never would have signed Tobias Harris to a max and trade two 1sts and two 2nds and sign his brother, etc etc. Hinkie would never have brought in Doc Rivers over another coach who would develop the young players we were collecting. Hell - Option 1 is to tr to get Jarami Grant - who Hinkie Drafted in 2014 with the 39th pick! Thank you NBA. Thank you Colon-Jell-O!
The pieces are always great, but this legitimately might be the best one ever. The Ricky team is truly unrivaled when it comes to the breadth and quality of content they provide.
As for who I'm rooting for, LeBron is last and I don't really think we can pry Bridges away, so I'm just trying to talk myself fully into PG or Butler. The Jerami Grant scenario is really intriguing!
Great piece as always, Mike.
I think you're right about the pros/cons and have some addl thoughts about what might happen (as opposed to what should happen):
One thing that I've noticed about DM since he came to Philly is that, relative to other GM's, he seems to telegraph his star hunting while for non-stars he tends to come up with deals (Melton deal, etc) that aren't talked about in advance but end up looking pretty smart both in the moment and longer term.
Given this, and my belief that most of this comes down to whether Steve Ballmer wants to maximize the buzz for his new arena over all else, I think we will know quickly whether the Sixers' off-season is PG13+ or a non-star approach (LBJ ain't coming and I'd be shocked if they traded for JB given the history there). If it's the latter, I would suspect that outside of a major set of moves around the draft this will be a longer and more unpredictable summer.er
I’d like to get J. Grant and Robert Williams. Williams is a great back up and fill in and could possibly play with embiid a bit while Williams and Maxey with his dunking abilities. Good value contact too ($12.4 this year and $13.3 next year). 2 first should be more than enough along with Paul Reed
Love MOC articles.
One guy that has not been discussed but could be used as an undervalued Avenue to acquire a legit role player is KJ Martin.
He has a minuscule cap hold and the team can sign him to a short term overvalued deal (say 2/25 w/team option) and rerouted in January along with the OKC or LAC pick for a solid player such as Dorian Finney Smith or a Caruso type when Bulls finally realize the dream is over.
My person preference would be in this order
1. Mikal
2. Jerami Grant
3. PG
4. Lebron
5. Jimmy
I'd like to hedge our bets and invest as much towards the future with Maxey while also remaining contenders for the next couple of years.
But what I think is most likely is
1.Jerami Grant (Portland's not going to build around him)
2. Jimmy (He's getting older and Miami would be smart to get something back for him before he's cooked or walks in free agency)
3. PG (Probably just using the sixers to get Steve Ballmer to pay him as much as possible but maybe not)
4. Mikal (Nets are probably still delusional and either they don't want to trade him or they want way to much)
5. Lebron (Who the hell knows what that guys gonna do but I don't really want the process to end being about how the sixers landed a 40 year old Lebron)
Wasn't the Process EXACTLY about creating the kind of team/Culture/Environment that would attract a Lebron James to choose to play here? We were on the Hamster Wheel to mediocrity before the Process. Sam Hinkie saved this City from that, loaded us with resources and chances to turn our fortunes. When the NBA overstepped and orchestrated a coup - THAT is when the train left the rails. Hinkie never would have signed Tobias Harris to a max and trade two 1sts and two 2nds and sign his brother, etc etc. Hinkie would never have brought in Doc Rivers over another coach who would develop the young players we were collecting. Hell - Option 1 is to tr to get Jarami Grant - who Hinkie Drafted in 2014 with the 39th pick! Thank you NBA. Thank you Colon-Jell-O!