Should Philadelphia 76ers fans really be getting their hopes up?
In a recent interview with NBA.com’s Ian Thomsen, Philadelphia 76ers GM Bryan Colangelo dished on a wide array of topics — from his decision to continue Sam Hinkie’s rebuild to what the Sixers’ playoff expectations should be. It’s not often that we get such in-depth input from Colangelo, so some of the details he gave are vital to understanding his view on the team’s future prospects.
One of the first quotes in piece references Colangelo’s willingness to stick with “a very solid plan,” which he said in reference to holding onto the cap space Sam Hinkie had accumulated prior to his departure. That could settle some qualms held by many fans in regards to Colangelo’s goals moving forward.
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He added onto that later in the piece, maintaining that everything the Sixers have done over the past year and a half has been in an effort to maintain flexibility moving forward:
"“Everything we’ve done was with the long term in mind,” Colangelo said. “That long term was, let’s maximize our flexibility, and let’s get to the point when you are in best position to, let’s say, acquire a star player. That’s when you apply that flexibility.“Right now we see a great young core of players that will hopefully maintain the type of health we have currently — and then the ability not only to develop that core but to be in a position to add a max player next year. We think it’s very feasible.”"
The idea of adding a max player is interesting. With Joel Embiid and Robert Covington both in line for extensions, the Sixers’ cap space is bound to get tight in the coming years. Assuming Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz perform up to expectations, they’ll recquire hefty extensions down the line as well. Burning four years at $30 million per on a second tier star could end up limiting the flexibility that Colangelo preached in those statements.
Embiid, Simmons and Fultz could be enough star power to carry Philadelphia to the next level. If so, an older veteran who isn’t one of the league’s absolute best doesn’t make sense in every circumstance.
Perhaps the most noteworthy comment, however, was Colangelo’s take on the Sixers’ playoff hopes — and in particular, his lack of (immediate) hope.
"“Forecasting (the playoffs) would be definitely, I believe, unrealistic. But hoping for that? It’s on everybody’s mind.”"
This is where Colangelo’s thoughts depart from virtually every other Sixers pundit. Sure, there are some valid concerns given their youth, and health could always drive any expectations off course. But this Sixers team, with a fully functional Embiid, J.J. Redick and two No. 1 picks, has more than enough talent to scrap their way into the playoff conversation in a lackluster Eastern Conference.
When you look at the East’s current makeup, at least three playoff teams lost significant talent, with Paul Millsap, Paul George and Jimmy Butler leaving the Hawks, Pacers and Bulls respectively. All three teams are undergoing rather expansive rebuilds, which narrows the field to 12 teams right away.
Teams like the Magic, Nets and Knicks are far from competitive teams as well, while the Sixers have the talent needed to go toe-to-toe with groups like Charlotte, Detroit and Miami. Making the playoffs may be difficult, but it’s more than realistic to throw them into projections as a seventh or eighth seed — if not higher.
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Once more, you can read Colangelo’s full interview here, as he gives some legitimate insight into his thought process and the team’s outlook moving forward.