Be Warned: The Philadelphia 76ers may not make the pick at #3

Be warned — the Philadelphia 76ers may not be picking third.

Is it just me, or does this relative lack of prospect visits seem incongruous with a team who has a brand new state of the art practice facility and a third overall pick? I am starting to think that the Philadelphia 76ers may not really love the fit and/or upside of these top five prospects in the 2017 draft.

Philadelphia 76ers

I could be overthinking this, as this is smokescreen season, but something odd is happening. If you had asked me a month ago, I would have said that it was unlikely the Philadelphia 76ers would make all four second round picks and a trade was likely. I never would have guessed that they might pass on three altogether in lieu of a package that either moves them back or grabs an established star.

Today, that feels like not only possible, but likely.

Silly Season

In the past few weeks I have written some pieces describing some options for trades that, at the time I wrote them, seemed far fetched but interesting thought experiments.

It has long been rumored that Jimmy Butler may be the only piece Chicago really has to start a true rebuild. I am not sure he is a great fit with Embiid and Simmons offensively, but he can get buckets and is a fantastic defensive player. At this point I could see the 76ers facilitating a Butler trade to another team as part of a three team deal. But It is very possible they decide the defense and scoring load is worth making a deal strait up for Butler.

Let’s be clear here though, they call it silly season for a reason. Teams assess their true financial realities and roster limitations at this time of year and the art of the possible reigns over the science of practical.

Klay?

On May 23, I posted an analysis of the Golden State Warriors’ financial future and the reality they are about to face. I offered what I thought, at the time, to be a far fetched idea, trade Klay Thompson for a boatload of cheap, cost-controlled assets.

Since that time, you have probably seen more and more speculation that Klay, in fact, may move this offseason.

There is a growing sense that what seemed like pure speculation may not be so far fetched after all. From Klay’s standpoint he is the fourth star on a championship team. You can argue he is their third best player, depending on what you think of Draymond Green‘s importance to their team. Klay may want to go somewhere that he has the opportunity to be higher profile and more appreciated. He may not want to go down in history like Kevin McHale, James Worthy or Chris Bosh. He may want to have his own team or at least be considered among the great second stars like Scottie Pippen, or Clyde Drexler.

This sense of legacy may lead him to want to play elsewhere. It is the only logical reason I can come up with for a player who may want out of the best team in history.Take CJ McCollum’s tweet for example.

https://twitter.com/CJMcCollum/status/872639619426287617

Speaking of CJ McCollum

He is another player on a team that is in dire financial straits and fits perfectly with the Philadelphia 76ers cornerstones of Embiid and Simmons. I don’t think C.J. wants to leave Portland and it may be that Portland will find someone to take the Crabbe or Evan Turner contracts off thier hands, but if not, I proposed a trade that would send the third pick plus Okafor and second round picks to Portland for C.J.

Again this is speculation, but the financial realities remain true. The underpinnings of any trade must factor in a team looking at finances as well as giving their team a chance to get better.

What we aren’t seeing

So back to my central point. I can see many scenarios for the Philadelphia 76ers moving the third pick for an established star. I can see the logic for other teams to make a trade with the Sixers. What I am not seeing are top five potential draft picks actually visiting the Philadelphia 76ers practice facility.

Wouldn’t you want to show off your beautiful new practice facility to young players and agents? Wouldn’t you want to see these prospects in your own gym standing next to your own players to really get a feel for their fit? If you ran this team, wouldn’t you be bringing players in, if for no other reason than to scout them in case you play against them? Something doesn’t seem right here.

The last point I will make on this is the Colangelo’s own stated purpose which was to bring in veteran talent and to change the culture from youth towards win now.

"“I think that should we move or if there’s a transaction that comes out that gives us a chance to perhaps increase what impact No. 3 can have in terms of its return, I think we will look at it,” – Bryan Colangelo"

Next: 4 Player Combos if the Sixers Trade for Picks 5 & 10

All this adds up to a sense I am getting. The possibility of the Philadelphia 76ers not making or keeping the pick at three is very real.