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 1, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) and center Jahlil Okafor (8) celebrate a score against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers won 103-91. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) and center Jahlil Okafor (8) celebrate a score against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers won 103-91. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Sell High Buy Low

Sam Hinkie understood the oscillating value of NBA players.  He astutely understood that public perception ran counter to the actual value of the player to his team.  When a player peaked in popularity, Hinkie sought to deal that player.  Why?  Not to tank, but merely to profit from the difference of perceived value and virtual value.

Hinkie frustrated fans, because he dealt the players fans loved most.

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    • Hinkie was trying to deal a center at the trade deadline in 2016.   Did Jerry Colangelo block the moves?  It would be intriguing to know now what happened. The Philadelphia 76ers had talks with several teams, and were close on some deals.  In the end, no deal was made, but teams agreed to revisit the discussions at the end of the season.

    Hinkie never lasted to the end.

    And so, the value of a rim protecting center with some offensive upside and a post offense specialty center with some defensive upside remained on the shelf.  Eventually, both would further erode in value from obsolescence when Joel Embiid arrived and brought the best of both worlds.

    Hinkie knew enough not to stick with a player on the way down the value chart.  The off-season, even if the “asking price” was not met initially, was the only clear opportunity to deal one of the centers.  In that time frame, the 76ers would get the best offer possible.