The Philadelphia 76ers were rather quiet, and perhaps even showed some timidness at the trade deadline this season. That may have been design, and certainly won’t continue for the front office.
The trade deadline came and went for the Philadlephia 76ers this season. One small move was made, as Joel Anthony‘s contract was traded for, and the Sixers waived JaKarr Sampson, in hopes of re-signing him once they acquired Anthony and subsequently released him. What they didn’t expect was that the Anthony trade would be delayed to the point that Sampson would have enough time to clear waivers and sign a contract with another team, the Denver Nuggets. The Anthony transaction fell through altogether.
Although losing a player is devastating, it was not the end of the world for the Sixers. The Sixers ended the trade deadline without making a single move, which was rather out of character for them. The past few seasons, the Sixers have made big moves that have gotten fan favorites away from the team, and brought in more draft picks. This quietness is new, and some attribute that to Jerry Colangelo breathing over general manager Sam Hinkie’s shoulder, telling him to not make any moves. While that may be Colangelo’s advisement to Hinkie, I don’t think the “breathing over the shoulder” metaphor is actually taking place. What I do think, is that this timid trade deadline does not indicate that the team will not be making moves given the opportunity coming up in the offseason. In fact, I think it indicates quite the opposite.
The trade deadline, as I mentioned, resulted in no transactions. Lots of opportunity was discussed, though, as Sam Hinkie mentioned in a press conference the day following the trade deadline that several teams inquired about players on the Sixers — likely Jahlil Okafor, Nerlens Noel and Ish Smith. Sone of those three players were also brought up as possible moving pieces in a trade for Dennis Schroder from the Atlanta Hawks. These deals involving Smith, Noel, and Okafor could easily come up this summer. Schroder is a free agent, but Schroder-like deals will always be around for teams that want to be bold and execute.
There was good reason for the minimal moves this season. For one, the team needs to see where they stand in this year’s draft. There are two big names, Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram. The Sixers certainly hope to find themselves with the first overall or second overall pick so that they can be locked in with one of those (hopefully) future stars, but as of right now, all of that is uncertain. Additionally, the uncertainty of Joel Embiid makes it difficult for the Sixers to decide to part ways with Nerlens Noel or Jahlil Okafor. The team hopes to have more of a solid answer on what his future will be like come summer, just in time for some big moves in the offseason.
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Those are the main reasons that not making a move was smart at the deadline this year, but logistically it was also hard to get in contact with everyone that needed to be talked to to make a move. Jerry Colangelo and head coach Brett Brown were both attending a funeral for NBA head coach Monty Williams‘ wife during the 3pm deadline, which is when the grit of most of the deals goes down. It would have been difficult — not impossible — for Hinkie to get in contact with either one of them to get a deal done right at 3pm.
Looking forward, the Sixers — if all goes according to plan — will have Okafor, a top draft prospect, and possibly Ish Smith to build around. Nerlens Noel will probably be around for at least the first half of next year as well. Although these are some nice building blocks, they aren’t a complete picture of a franchise for Philly, and they have to start winning next season. So they need to be active in free agency and in the trade market this offseason. The youth from the draft prospect(s) as well as in Noel and Okafor will grow to quality NBA players, but they also need some solid veterans — that means vets that can actually play — to help the team win games.
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They need to start being more aggressive in order to push the rebuilding along. The only way they will keep the process moving forward this season is if the team starts making moves in free agency and in the trade market.