The Sixer Sense
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What Would Wiley Sam Hinkie Do?

By Bret Stuter

Feb 10, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie prior to a game against the Sacramento Kings at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie prior to a game against the Sacramento Kings at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (R) and center Jahlil Okafor (M) greet Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (L) prior to game action at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (R) and center Jahlil Okafor (M) greet Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (L) prior to game action at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Third Time A Charm Or A Harm?

In 2015, Sam Hinkie learned that Joel Embiid would need another surgery and be out an additional season.  While the team had Noel at center, even Noel had cross-trained to play alongside Embiid at the four.  Unfortunately, with the news so close to the 2015 NBA Draft, the team needed to recalibrate priorities.

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SEC News: Tennessee lands 5-star prospect, Heyward decommits from Georgia
SEC News: Tennessee lands 5-star prospect, Heyward decommits from Georgia /

South Bound & Down

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    • With both Karl Anthony-Towns and D’Angelo Russell gone, the Philadelphia 76ers had to select from either Jahlil Okafor or Kristaps Porzingus.  Neither option would come without second guessing, and Okafor was the more “NBA ready” player.

    In the end, there were logical reasons why the Philadelphia 76ers selected three NBA centers in three consecutive drafts with a top pick.   But there was a plan in place throughout all points in the timeline.

    With the information available to the Philadelphia 76ers, their decision to meet the needs of the 2015-2016 season with Jahlil Okafor was the right call. It was clearly Sam Hinkie’s vision to use the season to build value in either Okafor and Noel, and then take the best deal possible.  Sam Hinkie understood that Joel Embiid held the key to this team’s future.