The Sixer Sense
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The 2017 NBA Lottery Decides Many Things For Philadelphia 76ers

By Bret Stuter

May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; General view 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
May 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; General view 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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The Philadelphia 76ers face many decisions this offseason. But expect nothing to happen until the 2017 NBA Lottery. Then, expect rapid changes

The Philadelphia 76ers know the ramifications of May 16, 2017. That is the date for the 2017 NBA Lottery.  But not everyone is happy with the system as it now stands.  In fact, nobody seems to be happy over it.

The 2017 NBA Lottery is assaulted on many fronts. NBA Purists want the lottery system completely abolished. NBA Reformists want the lottery scrapped for a new system that penalizes teams that play poorly, with a perception that losing NBA games is the goal of the athletes on that team.

Finally, some want the NBA Lottery system strengthened. Expand the lottery so that even the best team in the NBA has a chance at the top pick.  But in the end, it has worked because it’s the only system all factions can agree to, however begrudgingly.

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    • Lottery Decides 76ers Future, and Strategy

    The NBA Lottery dictates whether the Philadelphia 76ers will select first or sixth.  The NBA Lottery dictates whether the team will have one or two picks in the top ten, or even two of the top five picks.  In fact, the NBA lottery dictates how many first round picks the Philadelphia 76ers will enjoy in the 2018 NBA Draft.

    So it’s an important date indeed.

    But this lottery takes on an even larger role for the team.  Perched on the crest of either five or six draft picks in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers are weighing over their offseason strategy right now.  Upon learning how the ping pong balls fall, they will know which strategy to employ.

    For better or worse.

    No Room At The Gym

    It’s already suspected that the Philadelphia 76ers will struggle to absorb five new rookies out of the 2017 NBA Draft.  If the Sixers land a top three pick in the draft, it’s likely they will focus team resources to develop the one player, rather than dilute the training and try to bring nearly a half dozen players along at the same pace.

    Those lottery scenarios and what the 76ers will do in response is captured in an ongoing roundtable series.  It’s definitely worth a read.

    Once the team knows where they fall in the 2017 NBA Draft, they will likely project who will and will not be available at their picks.  That sets the market for which positions/players they attempt to obtain in trade or to sign in free agency.

    Next: Philadelphia 76ers need to avoid becoming the Clippers

    The 2017 NBA Lottery will determine the order of the teams selecting in the upcoming 2017 NBA Draft. But if a team is wise, it also dictates their entire offseason strategy.