It’s been a couple weeks and you know what, this was a successful season from the 76ers. Coming back from down 3 – 1 against Boston and possibly breaking up the Jays this summer is a win in my book. There’s just one problem. The future is sort of bleak. Especially with the announcement of the new anti-tanking rules in the NBA. There are lots of positives and a solid foundation with Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe. And thankfully the firing of Daryl Morey. He is a liar and I too will never be a part of any organization he is a part of.
The problem is, the 76ers could be headed towards NBA mediocrity. The middle class of the NBA. I’ve been listening to a lot of Daniel Johnston lately and in the song “Life in Vain” he poses the question “and where are you going to?” And this is a problem. Where are the 76ers going to? And what can newly hired President of Basketball Operations Mike Gansey do?
Being in the middle of the road usually just leads to an eventual blowup of the roster and a collapse. Just look at the Portland Trailblazers post Damian Lillard and the Memphis Grizzlies currently or even check out how things are going for the Utah Jazz. It’s also hard to judge Mike Gansey considering that Koby Altman was the one calling shots in Cleveland. Gansey is sort of similar to new Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, where he now has a full leadership role and can show what he can do. Now if I was Gansey I wouldn’t listen to any of the fans, except for myself. I’m kidding of course, he also shouldn’t listen to me, but hear me out.
Sixers Improvement Plan
First point: I’ve seen some proposals that suggest trading Joel Embiid for Domantas Sabonis. I’m here to say, if the 76ers do that, whomever their new General Manager is by the time of the draft, I will find you, and I’m not Liam Neeson, but I will be shaking my fist very angrily at you and possibly stage protests outside your home.
So here’s one proposal that might upset people, but weirdly enough, I do think this makes sense. A four team trade involving the Pelicans, Jazz and Timberwolves. In this trade, the Pelicans get Joel Embiid and Julius Randle. The Jazz receive Herbert Jones and Trendon Watford. The Timberwolves receive Dejounte Murray, Jordan Hawkins and Kevin Love. The 76ers will receive Zion Williamson.
This is a trade without draft picks, just players all on different teams in new scenery that they desperately need. Listen, I know about Zion’s love of food and Philadelphia has a great sandwich culture. Zion has recently proven that he has his weight under control and played the second most games of his career last season. In Philadelphia he doesn’t have the pressure anymore to be number one. This is a hear me out maneuver. The Timberwolves could thrive off of a playmaker like Murray, Hawkins could possibly find his shot off the bench there with DiVincenzo being suffering from a ruptured achilles tendon and Ayo Dosunmu being a free agent who is due for a huge pay day. The Pelicans getting both Randle and Embiid may seem redundant and Randle has been there before, but Randle or Embiid could be great pieces for them to move at the deadline in 2027.
I really believe Zion Williamson could reinvent his career here in Philadelphia. The pressure is off and he’s no longer viewed as the number one option. That’s Tyrese Maxey. And they have Paul George. That’s a guy who also loves adult clubs and could probably teach Zion some lessons.
Quentin Grimes, Andre Drummond, and Kelly Oubre Jr. are all unrestricted free agents. The Sixers can negotiate with them right after the NBA Finals. I’m not saying forget the bench, I especially love Oubre and Drummond. My feelings on Grimes are still out there. You can’t deplete a bench to win a championship. Though there are guys out there.
On one hand I love the veteran presence from these guys. But they will lose some of those guys. Oubre and Grimes should be top priorities. Bona can step in as a backup center. Also I do remember I did trade Joel Embiid for Zion Williamson.
For a second I’ll be realistic and that trade will not happen. I’m sorry you the reader had to read all that, even though I believe it’s a great trade for all teams involved. If you want to argue with me about all of this, schedule a time to meet up with me at the P.O.P.E. Or Fountain Porter.
What to do with Paul George?
We know Embiid seemed to be frustrated, and wanted to play more than when he was benched for his chronic knee injuries. Like James Harden, whom Embiid grew close to, this frustration seemed to be directed at Darryl Morey. So now here’s the deal. You have Embiid and Paul George with large contracts and Embiid has the knees of a 65 year old plus man and Paul George is entering his age 36 season. 36 years old isn’t particularly old for any man, but for a 16 year veteran who has also suffered a compound fracture to his right leg, it’s very impressive, but he can’t be relied on or blamed for things going wrong at this point.
The Sixers could continue with the status quo, but would that be enough to beat any of the top Eastern Conference contenders? Trading one of Embiid or George could possibly free up a lot of space to begin a new era with Maxey and Edgecome as the focus players long term. It could also help them rebuild the roster and get a deeper bench.
Dangling a 36 year old Paul George for trade bait may not catch onto anything. But possibly opening up the doors for Joel Embiid, despite his injury history, could intrigue some teams.
The problem is where and who fits. Sure I simulated a mammoth Embiid trade to New Orleans. It’s still possible some other desperate teams might be able to make this work. One team I’d look out for, the Golden State Warriors.
A straight trade of Jimmy Butler and Joel Embiid works. But how about the Warriors enticing the Sixers with the 11th overall pick in exchange for the Sixers 22nd overall pick. The Warriors are in desperate mode right now with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green in their twilight years and possibly adding Embiid could put them back into championship contention, at least they could believe. While the Sixers could get another solid pick for a rebuild at 11 and have Jimmy Butler back again at the tail end of his career. Also I just like the idea of Butler mentoring Edgecombe and Maxey.
Second point: Make the Pistons overpay for Jalen Duren. I know Duren cost himself millions this postseason. But that’s mostly according to social media. Jalen Duren is still one of the most important players on the Detroit Pistons no matter what. And he’s due for a large contract extension. He landed on the All-NBA Third Team. He also had a rough postseason. I don’t believe the Sixers should sign him, but the Sixers should make an aggressive offer to drive up the price and put Detroit in a tough spot.
Third point: avoid De’andre Ayton at all costs. That’s all. Please don’t be tricked into signing him. This isn’t Andre Drummond maturing. This is a guy who does not care and loves the lifestyle basketball brought him. Good for him. I’m happy he’s made a ton of money and worked hard enough for it. But If Embiid really is the one to ship off, replacing even half his production will be difficult.
Maybe Adam Bona can take over.
Fourth point: Another Pelicans player trade attempt? Yes, attempt to trade for Trey Murphy III. Murphy is a hot commodity this offseason with many teams going to put in offers. The Sixers should absolutely be one of them. A stud 3 and D player who can possibly elevate the floor for Maxey and Edgecomb doesn’t come around that often. If new GM Gansey wants to make an impressive splash, Trey Murphy III is the big splash move to make. If the Sixers could retain George and or Embiid during this, that’d be ideal. Mostly retain Embiid, and offload future first round draft picks.
My Confessions
I do have to come clean. As a New York transplant. This Knicks finals run was my dream. My mom was born in Philadelphia and raised in Delaware and to be honest, despite my dad being a D.C. born and raised guy, and me growing up in New York, I was never really a fan of the New York Giants, and when I’m asked about my favorite football team I always say the Eagles unlike I did when I was a kid.
Mostly because it was the Indianapolis Colts, due to me watching Peyton Manning for my first ever televised football game that I recall and deciding he was the best ever, but the Eagles were always someone I rooted for. Same with the Phillies World Series victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, but unfortunately I am also a New York Yankees fan. But something about the Knicks always felt different to me. It’s complex rooting for both the Knicks and the 76ers success, but I used to day dream that I’d be the Knicks starting point guard leading them to a championship wearing the number 15. The NBA probably wouldn’t allow me to wear that jersey number though considering my last name. Also my dreams were struck down after my tryout for the JV team didn’t go well and admitting I played for the JCC basketball league.
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