What Would Wiley Sam Hinkie Do?

Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons (R) and his father David Simmons (M) and head coach Brett Brown (L) during an introduction press conference at the Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t Wrestle Control Away From An Auto-Pilot

Despite his premature departure, Sam Hinkie left the Philadelphia 76ers in excellent shape. Redshirted rookies Joel Embiid and Dario Saric were slated to join the team in the 2016-2017 season. And while the luck of the NBA lottery landed top selection Ben Simmons to this team, his absence so far proved that this team would be on the upswing regardless of where that first pick fell.

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Hinkie’s three year austerity program accumulated plenty of NBA assets that have begun to deliver this year. Even with the front office change, the only requirement for Bryan Colangelo was simply: (A) remain close vested about team strategy (B) Level talent among five positions and (C) Communicate with players.

The team was on auto-pilot.

But new executives like to make decisions. That’s why they are paid huge salaries.

And so, the team abandoned the belief of time-sharing at the center position and rotating overflow to the power forward role. Instead, the front office nimbly traded small forward Jerami Grant to the Oklahoma City Thunder for power forward Ersan Ilyasova and a 2020 top-20 protected first round pick.

Another benign move. But it had serious repercussions. Ilyasova and Saric would timeshare at the four. Holmes would cover overflow minutes at the five. Embiid would play limited minutes and start two of three games. Okafor would play limited minutes and pick up games when Embiid rested. And Nerlens Noel, who had opted for elective surgery and rehabbed away from the team, found no room in the lineup.