Simmons and Embiid And Veterans, Oh My!
For three years, former president Sam Hinkie gave little stock to the present state of the team. Instead, his vigilance was on the synchronization of elite players with affordable and productive teammates to develop simultaneously on the roster of the Philadelphia 76ers.
The present state of the team eroded from a competitive status under his watch.
Now the team is professing to do both. But can it succeed at both? Ultimately, the commission of Colangelo is to improve the team noticeable today. If that fails this season, he will do what anyone would do.
He will go back to what he knows best. What he knows best is veteran play.
Colangelo has cleaned house before when he took over the roster of the Toronto Raptors. He enjoyed success at building a playoff team his first year. That luck will tempt him to attempt a similar strategy, and outcome, in Philadelphia.
As of today, only 8 of 15 players on the roster are returning from last year’s roster. Of that, Joel Embiid coming from the inactive to active. Colangelo has converted 50% of last years roster, and done no better so far than his predecessor. If the team falters this year, Colangelo likely takes just the best pieces from the roster, and starts over.
Next: Can Ben Simmons Lead Philadelphia 76ers In Four Month Season?
The results of resetting the rebuild would cripple the team. Efforts to keep Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons while trying to compliment them with NBA veterans means trade or free agency. In the end, failing this year will not mean better draft picks at all.
In ultimate analysis, failing this season could return the team to the insanity of pre-Hinkie periods.