Comparing the Philadelphia 76ers’ Rebuild to the Nets’ Rebuild

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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What If the Sixers Copied the Nets’ Rebuild Part 1

Based on National and local media hatred of the Sixers’ tanking over the past three years, what would the Sixers look like if they tried to copy the Nets’ rebuilding plan? The Sixers using the Nets’ rebuilding plan would involve them spending a lot of money for players that are realistically attainable.

Ideally the Sixers would sign Chris Paul or Dwight Howard during 2013’s offseason if their goal is to spend money to win now, but the Sixers were not in position to sign a star after the 2012-13 season. They finished that season with 34 wins and 48 losses and the man they traded Andre Iguodala, Maurice Harkless, Nikola Vucevic, and a lottery protected first round pick for Andrew Bynum didn’t play a game and was an unrestricted free agent.

No legitimate superstar would even consider going to the Sixers after the 2012-13 season, so they would have to give superstar money and be willing to part with assets that should only be included in a trade for a superstar for an above average or formerly great but now declining player. A Sixers team trying to replicate the Nets would have re-signed Bynum despite how stupid that would be, because they could convince themselves that Bynum’s broken knees would magically heal and that he would suddenly be more committed to playing basketball than bowling, dancing, or anything that didn’t involve his actual job.

Next: What if Sixers Copied the Nets Rebuild Part 2