The Sixer Sense
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Which 2016 NBA Draft Picks Will Philadelphia 76ers Receive On Draft Day?

By Bret Stuter

Dec 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Jerry Colangelo (R) is introduced as special advisor to the Philadelphia 76ers during a press conference with owner Joshua Harris (M) and general manager Sam Hinkie (L) before a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Jerry Colangelo (R) is introduced as special advisor to the Philadelphia 76ers during a press conference with owner Joshua Harris (M) and general manager Sam Hinkie (L) before a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Jerry Colangelo during a press conference after being named special advisor for the Philadelphia 76ers before a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Jerry Colangelo during a press conference after being named special advisor for the Philadelphia 76ers before a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Colangelo Calling

Well, that among other things.  You see, the pressure is off for the most part on the Sixers for this draft class.  Yes, they have a shot at two lottery picks this year, but they will automatically receiver the services of two first round draft picks in 2016: Joel Embiid and Dario Saric.  By all accounts, both players appear to have tremendous upsides – so much so that even straight talker Jerry Colangelo is impressed.

Colangelo was brought on to give an honest assessment of the team’s status and outlook. He did just that recently.

"“There’s no guarantee, but the thing you have to do is give people hope. This isn’t like, let’s look down the road five years and see where we are. No, I don’t see that at all. I see the opportunity here to get some big things done over the next year. There’s one way to go here and that’s up. I’m very optimistic [and], you’ve got to be a little bit lucky, too, in terms of all the things I’m talking about. I use the expression, ‘The stars have to be aligned,’ and if we have a good alignment, it could happen in ’16. So, we could have a turnaround in one year that would surprise people. As far as the plan, whatever people think the plan is, nothing is changing as far as a course. The reality is, and I’ve come to understand this, that Sam has really done a great job of accumulating assets. Now, it’s a matter of when do you pull the trigger on using all those assets. So, as I look at the board, if you will, I see some things that could happen sooner than later.” -Jerry Colangelo spoke after attending a Sixers practice."

And so, the Sixers have plenty of currency thanks to president and general manager Sam Hinkie, and Colangelo is a seasoned NBA executive who is not caught up in the hype or bandwagon approach of team building. What will they do?

Next: Draft Disaster