The Sixer Sense
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Drip Drop. Depleting Philadelphia 76ers assets at alarming rate.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 7: Philadelphia 76ers general manager Bryan Colangelo looks on prior to the game against the Utah Jazz at Wells Fargo Center on November 7, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 7: Philadelphia 76ers general manager Bryan Colangelo looks on prior to the game against the Utah Jazz at Wells Fargo Center on November 7, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
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Another trade displays President Bryan Colangelo’s willingness to deplete Philadelphia 76ers NBA draft surplus inheritance remaining from Sam Hinkie

Drip drop. Drip drop. How do you move a mountain? One shovelful at a time. And so, the mountain disappears virtually in front of your very eyes. When Bryan Colangelo assumed control of the Philadelphia 76ers team, there was so very much to be excited about. Young players, copious number of NBA Draft picks. Low salary cap. Everyone knew it couldn’t last. But have recent actions by Philadelphia 76ers executives demonstrated prudence with the assets left to them by the previous administration?  Or has the front office simply squandered talent and draft picks via trade so gradually that our asset depletiton is nearly invisible before our very eyes.

Jerry Colangelo arrived to the team to oversee Sam Hinkie. Ultimately, he simply kept a seat warm for his son while he negotiated the top role for the team.  But during that time, Jerry Colangelo shared thoughts and concerns over both Nerlens Noel (just a rim protector) and Jahlil Okafor (he made mistakes).

Sam  I am and off you go!

When Sam Hinkie resigned in April 2016, the Philadelphia 76ers had just completed a 10-72 season. But the team already had reason for optimism. Both Joel Embiid and Dario Saric, both drafted in 2014, joined the team in 2016. The team also had undrafted players T.J. McConnell and Robert Covington. The team had a surplus of NBA worthy centers in Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor, plus a crop of young talent like Jerami Grant, Richaun Holmes, and more.  But team pruning is necessary.  Too many young players, all starving for minutes to help them develop, wilting on the roster.

The concern is not about the pruning.  The abundance of quality future NBA Draft picks would help the team restock the roster. The Philadelphia 76ers had players who were either (A) not talented enough (B) talented enough but not the right fit (C) Talented enough, right fit, but in a deep position.  So some level of “thinning the herd” had to be done.  But Bryan Colangelo has a history of valuing deals over draft. And that concerns me, and it ought to concern others as well.