The Sixer Sense
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Comparing the Philadelphia 76ers’ Rebuild to the Nets’ Rebuild

By Michael Bronson

Mar 15, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Ish Smith (1) reaches for the ball as Brooklyn Nets forward Thaddeus Young (30) defends during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. Brooklyn Nets won 131-114. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Ish Smith (1) reaches for the ball as Brooklyn Nets forward Thaddeus Young (30) defends during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center. Brooklyn Nets won 131-114. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 13, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Wayne Ellington (21) drives up through Toronto Raptors defense during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Toronto Raptors won 103-96. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 13, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Wayne Ellington (21) drives up through Toronto Raptors defense during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Toronto Raptors won 103-96. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

The Nets from 2013 to 2016 Conclusion

Pierce left the Nets for the Washington Wizards as a free agent during the 2014 NBA offseason. The Nets entered the 2014-15 NBA season with most of the 2013-14 season’s starting lineup intact, but ended the season with one major departure. The Nets traded Garnett to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Thaddeus Young, so they ended the 2014-15 season without either player that was the main reason they gave up several first round picks less than two years earlier. The Nets finished the 2014-15 season with 38 wins and 44 losses and failed to get past the first round in the playoffs losing 4-2 against the Atlanta Hawks. While the Nets managed to cut salary with the departure of Pierce and Garnett, they still had the highest salary in the NBA and were more than $25 million over the $63,065,000 salary cap.

Deron Williams left the Nets as a free agent for the Dallas Mavericks during the 2015 offseason and the Nets waived Joe Johnson during the 2015-16 season. The Nets finished the 2015-16 season with the third worst record in the league, with 21 wins and 61 losses.

Next: What if Sixers Copied the Nets Rebuild Part 1