The Sixer Sense
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Alternate Sixers History: Philadelphia drafts Josh Jackson and trades for Kyrie Irving

By Daniel Stets

CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 31: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts on the court during the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers 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: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts on the court during the first half against the Philadelphia 76ers 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) /
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A look into a world where the Philadelphia 76ers drafted Josh Jackson instead of Markelle Fultz.

The Philadelphia 76ers were on the cusp of completing one of the most monumental trades in their franchise’s history. It was being reported everywhere that the Celtics and Sixers were in advanced discussions in a deal for the number one pick. Philadelphia would trade up and select Markelle Fultz, the jewel in the crown of this draft. Boston would trade down and select one of Josh Jackson or Jayson Tatum. The Celtics would pick up future assets in the deal.

Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers /

Philadelphia 76ers

And then came the shocking news. Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted “Boston has cut off talks with Philadelphia. Philadelphia will not acquire the number one pick, and Boston will select Fultz.” On draft night, Ainge would go on to select Markelle Fultz. Philadelphia would select Josh Jackson, the small forward out of Kansas. After the draft, Danny Ainge said they couldn’t strike a deal because “Philadelphia didn’t offer us a package that was worth the number one overall pick.”

It was reported by sources close to Boston that Philadelphia offered the third pick, Dario Saric, and Jahlil Okafor for the number one pick. It was reported by sources close to Philadelphia that Boston wanted the number three overall pick, Robert Covington, T.J. McConnell, the 2018 unprotected Lakers pick, and the 2019 unprotected Kings pick. It’s impossible to tell who is telling the truth and who is reporting misinformation. Regardless, Fultz is a Boston Celtic, not a 76er.

Kyrie Irving emerges as a trade candidate for Philadelphia.

On July 24th, roughly a moment after the Sixers failed at acquiring the draft pick that would become Markelle Fultz, Brian Windhorst dropped a bombshell story. Kyrie Irving demanded to be traded. It was a shocking revelation. The point guard who hit the game winning shot in game seven of the Finals wanted out of Cleveland.

Cleveland’s phones immediately began to ring. The Knicks offered Carmelo Anthony for Kyrie Irving. The Suns offered to swap Eric Bledsoe for Irving. Even the Lakers threw their hat into the ring. It was reported they offered Julius Randle, Larry Nance, and Jordan Clarkson. The Cavaliers firmly rebuffed this offer.

However, one team continued to be connected to Cleveland in rumors. That team was none other than the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers, a team that just missed out on Fultz, had a second chance to get their franchise point guard.

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The talks between the two teams were intense. Bryan Colangelo said during his press conference after the trade that “this was the most difficult trade I’ve ever negotiated.” Philadelphia ended up trading Josh Jackson, Robert Covington, T.J. McConnell, and a lottery protected first round pick in 2018 for Irving. The 2018 draft pick was protected through the years 2018-2020. If not conveyed, the picks would become two second rounders in 2020 and 2021. The Sixers did not move the Lakers or Kings pick in the deal.

Philadelphia will most likely go into the season with a starting five of Irving, Redick, Anderson, Simmons and Embiid. Irving and Redick’s defensive defficenties should be covered up by Embiid’s defensive prowess. Irving and Redick will be a dominant force in the Eastern Conference offensively. For Philadelphia, next year could be a year where they make major noise in the east if Embiid stays healthy.

Cleveland flipped Kevin Love and Kay Felder for Eric Bledsoe and Jared Dudley immediately after their trade with Philadelphia became finalized. Cleveland needed point guard help, and Bledsoe is just that. Cleveland is planning to play small next year vs Golden State. They want to utilize lineups with Covington, Jackson and James. Love was the odd man out.

Cleveland’s new starting five will most likely be Bledsoe, Smith, James, Covington and Thompson. Cleveland got their young star of the future in Jackson. It was reported that Cleveland didn’t want to be left with no one to build around if James did not re-sign with them.

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McConnell and Bayless will help them as contributors off of the bench. However, the real prize in the trade for Cleveland was Robert Covington. The super versatile wing would give Cleveland much needed defensive versatility against Golden State. Cleveland got everything they could have hoped for in their two big offseason trades.