Apr 1, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward
Gerald Wallace(45) warms up before a game against the Indiana Pacers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Thompson Traded To Golden State
Out with the old, in with the new. In Philadelphia, it is out with the new, in with the newer. The Sixers front court was already crowded, and with the trade to the Kings, became even more so. Hinkie still had the salary cap dump open for business, and the trade deadline usually gives the Sixers several additional opportunities. It came as no surprise then that the Golden State Warriors, who are beaten up on the luxury tax, called the Sixers about a transaction to relieve them of the NBA luxury tax. So in less than a month, the Sixers trade hometown favorite to Golden State. Thompson fills a need for the Warriors, and he had little to offer the young and upcoming Sixers.
Official: The Sixers have traded Jason Thompson to Golden State in return for Gerald Wallace and draft considerations.
— max (@MaxOnTwitter) July 31, 2015
As a result of the subsequent move, the Sixers take on another huge salary player who will likely be waived by the team. Golden State picked up a veteran who still has production and shed salary. What do the Sixers get for their troubles?
Assuming Wallace doesn't play for the Sixers this season, they'll be paying him & JaVale McGee a combined $22 million to do nothing.
— John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) July 31, 2015
Well, we know there is more to the story than that. As anyone who follows the Sixers or Sam Hinkie, it’s about the picks.
The Sixers will have the right to swap lesser of their first-round picks from #Miami and #OKC with #GoldenState's frist-round pick in 2016 .
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) July 31, 2015
What value does this have for the Sixers? 2016 is the fulcrum. Everything this organization has done comes to a climax in 2016. As it stands, the Sixers will potentially have four first round draft picks in 2016, will welcome Joel Embiid from a two year rehab of his foot injury, will welcome Dario Saric to the team from his European stint, and will have the new training facility. There are far too many things happening in a positive direction for this team next year, so that even if one or two fall short of expectations, the team will emerge as a powerful NBA force regardless.
And Hinkie continues to stack the deck. By adding optional upgrades for picks in 2016, he dictates the where and the who the Sixers will select. Just hold on Philly. After 2015, the NBA may witness the birth of a dynasty.