2017 NBA Draft Philadelphia 76ers Perks and Potholes

By Bret Stuter | Mar 3, 2017

May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers head coach Brett Brown represents his team during the NBA draft lottery at New York Hilton Midtown. The Philadelphia 76ers received the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

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Fire Sale

With all the talk of trade rumors in the twelve months leading up to the 2017 NBA Trade Deadline, fans expectedly some hefty returns on team players. Instead, NBA teams gambled by low balling the 76ers, and the trade deadline wore down the team.

The first trade was not surprising. Despite a very productive cameo appearance in Philadelphia, Ersan Ilyasova was not interested in returning to the Philadelphia 76ers in a likely ever diminishing role. That prompted the 76ers to get something for nothing, translating into a deal at the deadline with the Atlanta Hawks.

Sixers are finalizing a trade to Ersan Ilyasova to Atlanta for Tiago Splitter and two second-round picks, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 23, 2017

Two seconds for a part time starter “sounds” fair, but let’s dig below the surface to see what gold lies amidst the rubble in this trade.