War chest of draft picks
But the hopes of fans were simple – thin the herd, but do not deplete the team’s roster nor draft surplus. By the time Sam Hinkie departed, the Philadelphia 76ers had amassed quite the collection of NBA Draft picks. They included:
2016 – Potential for four first round picks: The Philadelphia 76ers own first round pick, plus the right to swap that pick with the Sacramento Kings. The Los Angeles Lakers first round pick (1-3 protection). The Miami Heat first round pick (1-10 protection), and the Oklahoma City first round pick (1-15 protection).
PLUS –Three second round picks (Philadelphia, Denver, Golden State)
In 2016, the Philadelphia 76ers selected Ben SImmons (1st), Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (24th), and Furkan Korkmaz (26th). Not only did the team emerge with three standouts, but with a sense of renewed optimism.
2017 NBA Draft
2017 – Potential for two first round picks: The Philadelphia 76ers own their first round pick, plus the right to swap that pick with the Sacramento Kings. The Los Angeles Lakers first round pick (1-3 protection).
In 2017, the Philadelphia 76ers selected Markelle Fultz (1st), Anzejs Pasecniks (25th), Johan Bolden (36th), Jawun Evans (39th), Sterling Brown (46th), Mathias Lessort (50th).
The Philadelphia 76ers dealt both Jawun Evans and Sterling Brown for cash considerations.
At this point in time, the Philadelphia 76ers may have met their trio. In essence, a championship team needs three standout players. In the assemblage of Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Markelle Fultz, the Philadelphia 76ers search for three standout players may be over. But now is the trickier part. Growing a team around three players and exercising enough patience to allow the team to develop organically.