Loyalty Is A Two Way Street
The challenge now is, can Bryan Colangelo pick up on the team’s chemistry in the absence of the original architect? So far, his actions have impressed more than his rhetoric. But he is coming to an important fork in the road. Does he:
I. Show loyalty to the longest-tenured player on the team and try to retain Nerlens Noel?
II. Show loyalty to the player who came on a “prove me” one-year deal, and proved it, Sergio Rodriguez?
III. Show loyalty to the player he traded for, who is working so well as the starting power forward for the team, and try to retain Ersan Ilyasova?
Or none of the above?
The fact of the matter is that there is more at stake than just money. Whomever the team allows to go, that player’s role must be absorbed by the remaining players on the team. To be honest, the role of Nerlens Noel could be handled by Richaun Holmes. The role of Sergio Rodriguez could be absorbed by T.J.McConnell. And finally, the role of Ersan Ilyasova can be absorbed by Dario Saric.
Next: How Do We Define Success for Simmons?
What it comes down to is who do the front office executives feel in invaluable to the future of this franchise? RIght now the team just defeated a very good Milwaukee Bucks team without either Joel Embiid or Ben Simmons. To be honest, any answers beyond Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid is icing on the cake at this point.