The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Have Philadelphia 76ers created an NBA power shift?

By Bret Stuter

CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 31: T.J. McConnell #1 talks with Gerald Henderson #12 and Richaun Holmes #22 of the Philadelphia 76ers as they walk off the court during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on March 31, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 31: T.J. McConnell #1 talks with Gerald Henderson #12 and Richaun Holmes #22 of the Philadelphia 76ers as they walk off the court during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on March 31, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 22: Potential first round draft picks Front Row (L-R) – OG Anunoby, Dennis Smith, Malik Monk, Luke Kennard, Lonzo Ball, Markelle Fultz, De’aaron Fox, Frank Ntilikina, Justin Jackson, Back Row (L-R) Bam Adebayo, Jonathan Isaac, Justin Patton, Lauri Markkanen, Jayson Tatum, Josh Jackson, Zach Collins, Donovan Mitchell and TJ Leaf pose with NBA commissioner Adam Silver on stage before the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 22: Potential first round draft picks Front Row (L-R) – OG Anunoby, Dennis Smith, Malik Monk, Luke Kennard, Lonzo Ball, Markelle Fultz, De’aaron Fox, Frank Ntilikina, Justin Jackson, Back Row (L-R) Bam Adebayo, Jonathan Isaac, Justin Patton, Lauri Markkanen, Jayson Tatum, Josh Jackson, Zach Collins, Donovan Mitchell and TJ Leaf pose with NBA commissioner Adam Silver on stage before the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Inception

Now, the Philadelphia 76ers stand at the inception of becoming a very good NBA basketball team. But despite the vindictive nature of the NBA brass, NBA teams are sitting up and taking notice. A team, loaded with young elite-level-potential talent, with significant NBA cap space, and plenty of NBA draft picks?  Yes, the NBA notices now.

While no team will state plainly “We will follow Sam Hinkie’s strategy!”, you can bet the shake up is happening.  Former Sam Hinkie employer Houston Rockets developed the strategy of accumulating assets for a huge trade.  They continue to do so.

NBA Movement

But they are not the only teams making dramatic moves now. The New York Knicks, once lauded for building a playoff team the “right way” are back to square one.

The fact is that there are only so many NBA stars to go around. The last gasp effort for many playoff hopeful teams happened at the February 2017 trade deadline. Or rather didn’t. The only major move happened when the Sacramento Kings threw in the towel by trading center DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans for a host of young talent and draft pics.  In short, the Kings, who ended up on the short end of trades with the Philadelphia 76ers decided that it was time to join the all-in rebuild movement.